NCAA vows stiffer penalties over flight delays

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has signalled a major policy shift, announcing plans to push for stiffer penalties against domestic airlines over chronic flight delays and recurrent operational inefficiencies. The Authority said while it has consistently supported and defended airline operators in recognition of the harsh operating environment, recent developments have made it necessary […]

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has signalled a major policy shift, announcing plans to push for stiffer penalties against domestic airlines over chronic flight delays and recurrent operational inefficiencies.

The Authority said while it has consistently supported and defended airline operators in recognition of the harsh operating environment, recent developments have made it necessary to adopt a tougher regulatory stance in the interest of passengers.

“We have protected operators, stood for them, explained for them, been insulted for them, and supported them because it is the right thing to do. Majority of flight disruptions are not caused by the airlines, but recent events justify the need for heavier ramifications where there is recurrent inefficiency,” the NCAA stated through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu.

Daily Trust reports that flight delays have become a recurring decimal in Nigeria’s aviation with airlines insisting that majority of the delays were not caused by them.

However, the apex regulatory authority noted that the aviation industry has received unprecedented support from the Federal Government, particularly under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo.

According to Achimugu, such support should naturally translate into improved operational performance and better service delivery.

“The natural law of nature is that when an industry is supported by government in the way that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done; in the way that the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN has done; in the way that the DGCA, Capt. Chris Najomo has done; and in the way that our Consumer Protection Department has done, the least expectation of reciprocity is for remarkable improvements to reflect in flight operations and some other aspects,” the statement said.

While acknowledging the challenging operating environment faced by airlines, the NCAA stressed that certain lapses remain inexcusable, especially in the areas of passenger communication, handling of delays and cancellations, and compliance with existing consumer protection regulations.

“Immeasurable times, I have stressed the need for airlines to improve communication during flight delays and cancellations. I have stressed the need to comply with the regulations in the areas of HOTAC and First Needs Compensation,” Achimugu said, referring to Hotel Accommodation and First Needs compensation obligations.

The regulator also linked poor information management and passenger handling to the rising incidents of violence and unrest at airport terminals.

“The failure to manage information properly, as well as poor passenger handling, has been responsible for the majority of passenger violence at our airport terminals,” it said.

Drawing international parallels, the NCAA cited recent action by United States authorities, who fined JetBlue Airways two million dollars for chronic delays, describing it as a landmark enforcement action.

“Not too long ago, the US authorities fined JetBlue airline to the tune of two million dollars for ‘chronic delayed flights,’ the first of its kind in the US,” the statement noted.

The Authority подчеркed that regulations must evolve to address emerging challenges in the industry, adding that a comprehensive review of its enforcement framework is underway to strengthen compliance mechanisms for both operators and passengers.

“Regulations may evolve as challenges take expression and impact the industry. The NCAA is committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders, and a review that strengthens the Authority to enforce compliance for both passengers and operators has to be done,” it said.

The move is expected to heighten accountability in the domestic aviation space and send a strong signal to airlines on the need to improve punctuality, transparency and passenger welfare.