The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken enforcement action against five airlines—two international and three domestic—for violating Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations of 2023. The offenses include delays in passenger refunds, failure to comply with directives, mishandling of luggage, and issues related to flight delays and cancellations.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the development on Tuesday. While the names of the airlines were not disclosed, Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA’s regulations require airlines to adhere strictly to specific measures during flight disruptions, with noncompliance attracting penalties.

Achimugu acknowledged the seasonal surge in flight delays and cancellations due to harmattan-related poor visibility but clarified that enforcement actions target situations where airlines are at fault. “Flights must be canceled due to force majeure like harmattan. In those instances, airlines owe passengers nothing. However, today’s enforcement addresses cases where airlines are clearly at fault. More actions will follow,” he stated.

The NCAA plans to summon the chief executive officers (CEOs) of all airlines for a meeting this week to address regulatory breaches and ensure compliance. The authority reiterated its earlier warning issued on December 10 regarding delayed ticket refunds, mandating that airlines adhere to refund timelines outlined in the 2023 regulations.

Under the regulations, cash purchases must be refunded immediately in cash, while refunds for electronic payments must be processed within 14 days. The NCAA aims to safeguard passenger rights and enhance consumer protection in the aviation sector.