“Respect Nigerian Passengers Or Face Sanctions” – NCAA Tells Qatar Airways

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned Qatar Airways that it will face sanctions over the alleged mistreatment of Nigerian passengers.

The warning was issued by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, in a statement shared on his official X page on Friday.

Achimugu explained that the airline has failed to follow Nigeria’s consumer protection rules under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.

He cited a recent case where a Nigerian man traveling with his wife was accused by a Qatar Airways cabin crew member of inappropriate conduct while boarding a flight from Lagos to the United States through Doha.

According to him, the airline did not report the matter to authorities in Nigeria before escalating it in Doha.

The passenger was later arrested, detained for 18 hours, fined, and forced to sign a document written only in Arabic.

Achimugu said the man’s onward journey was also denied, leaving him to purchase a fresh ticket at significant personal and financial cost.

The NCAA accused Qatar Airways of repeatedly ignoring its directives and warned that penalties would follow if the behavior continued.

Achimugu also disclosed that Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air had been cautioned for similar breaches and could face heavy fines if they fail to comply.

“The airline @qatarairways has carried on as though Nigerian passengers and the NCAA are not deserving of their respect, dignified treatment, and compliance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. This will be brought to a stop immediately.

“A member of this airline’s cabin crew claimed that, while she was wheeling a passenger during boarding for a flight from Lagos to the US via Doha, a male passenger who was travelling with his wife had touched her butt. She did not report this incident in Lagos.

“On arrival in Doha, she made an allegation against this passenger, leading to his arrest and detention for about eighteen hours.

“To continue to treat our laws with contempt while respecting regulations across Europe and elsewhere is not ideal and must be brought to a complete and final stop. This department protects the airlines as much as it protects passengers.

“The DGCA, Captain Chris Najomo, has never minced words about his position on consumer protection issues, and we will apply appropriate and stiff penalties against the airlines that, in perpetuity, fail to comply,” Achimugu wrote.

He added that the passenger complaint system exists to protect both airlines and travelers, and stressed that the Director General of Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, is committed to enforcing consumer rights.

The NCAA revealed that Qatar Airways’ country manager was invited for a meeting over the incident but declined to attend, sending junior staff in his place.

The regulator also noted that the airline has ignored its investigation letters, failed to respond to escalated passenger complaints, and disregarded official rulings.

Achimugu warned that the authority will not tolerate false information or disobedience of its directives, insisting that the same respect airlines show to European regulators must be extended to Nigeria.

He also reminded carriers that bilateral air service agreements (BASAs) signed with the country must be honored.

KanyiDaily recalls that the NCAA recently ordered Ibom Air to compensate passengers whose Friday flight was cancelled.