THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned all domestic airlines operating in the country to an emergency meeting in Abuja to address persistent flight disruptions, unresolved refunds, and poor passenger treatment.
NCAA’s Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday made available to News Point Nigeria, noting that the meeting will hold on Wednesday at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Achimugu, the regulatory body intends to confront airlines with critical issues that have sparked widespread passenger complaints and public outrage.
“The NCAA has invited all domestic airlines to a meeting in Abuja slated for tomorrow, Wednesday,” Achimugu announced.
The key topics to be discussed include:
Unruly passenger behaviour and handling protocols
Unresolved refund and compensation cases
Introduction of RFID bag tags and flight monitoring technology
Strict enforcement of phone switch-off rules and cabin crew protection
Measures to improve the overall travel experience for passengers
This development comes less than 24 hours after Achimugu reiterated that the NCAA has the full mandate of the Federal Government to “name and shame” airlines that consistently delay or cancel flights without providing care for stranded passengers, as required under Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
In a strongly worded statement, the NCAA spokesperson criticised airlines for abandoning passengers during late-night cancellations, leaving consumer protection officers at risk.
“The regulations stipulate that passengers stranded between 2200 hrs and 0400 hrs must be given hotel accommodation,” he stressed.
“The situation where airline staff intentionally disappear, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to handle justifiably irate and frustrated passengers, will no longer be tolerated.”
While acknowledging operational challenges in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Achimugu insisted that airlines must uphold international best practices if they wish to compete at the highest level.
“Whoever willfully ventures into a business and wants to remain in it must do it well. We must not always choose the easy way out. Don’t you want to be called ‘world class’? Don’t you want to compete at the highest level? If not for the sake of the passengers who trust you to fly them, what about for your own pride?” he asked.
Flight disruptions, often caused by technical challenges, weather, or scheduling inefficiencies, have in recent months triggered intense frustration among Nigerian travellers.
Reports of airlines failing to provide accommodation, meals, or refunds as stipulated by law have worsened public distrust.
In May, several domestic carriers were criticised after multiple late-night cancellations left passengers stranded at Lagos and Abuja airports without support.