Moroccan carrier fined for consumer protection breaches

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has paid the hefty sanction fee imposed on it earlier this year over repeated breaches of consumer protection regulations. The Moroccan flag carrier was described as the worst offender among foreign airlines operating in Nigeria. Daily Trust reports that it had been […]

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has paid the hefty sanction fee imposed on it earlier this year over repeated breaches of consumer protection regulations.

The Moroccan flag carrier was described as the worst offender among foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

Daily Trust reports that it had been slapped with the heaviest fine following incessant reports of short-landed baggage.

More so the NCAA has expressed anger over what it called a troubling pattern of silence in the face of passenger complaints.

It would be recalled that the NCAA had called out some foreign airlines over breaches of passengers’ rights.

Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection of NCAA, Mr. Michael Achimugu who confirmed the fine did not however disclose how much the airline paid.

This is coming about a month after a similar fine was slammed on Kenya Airways.

He said, “Glad to announce that Royal Air Maroc has also paid the NCAA sanction fee imposed on the airline for consumer protection-related infractions earlier this year.

“Of the foreign airlines, RAM was hit with the heaviest sanction fees due to the incessant short-landed baggage issues, and their then lack of responsiveness to complaints.

“While there is a remarkable improvement in their responses to passenger complaints, one notices that baggage issues continue to persist.

“We have held a virtual meeting with the airline to try and understand their challenges. Despite this, the NCAA is thinking of heavier sanctions against RAM if this anomaly does not improve immediately.

“Business dictates a change of strategy if the current policies are not working. To this end, the airline is advised to seek other ways to resolve baggage issues if their present ways are not helping their passengers. The goal is to sanitize our industry and give passengers a seamless travel experience. The NCAA will continue to protect the rights of passengers and airlines.”