The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has initiated enforcement action against five airlines (two international and three domestic operators) for various violations of Part 19 of the NCAA regulations.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection to the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a statement released to journalists on Tuesday.

These sanctions include nonpayment of refunds within the stipulated time frame, non-responsiveness to the NCAA’s directives, missing luggage, manhandled luggage, short-landed baggage, and delayed and cancelled flights, amongst others.

He stated that while airlines are not always to blame for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations require them to take specific actions during such incidents. Non-compliance results in various sanctions.

The Authority recently reiterated that it would impose sanctions on airlines that fail to issue refunds within the stipulated 14-day period for online ticket purchases or provide immediate cash refunds for tickets bought with cash.

The frequent disruptions this holiday season have led to a rise in passenger complaints about delays and cancellations. Mr. Achimugu attributed most of the cancellations to factors beyond the airlines’ control.

According to the statement, “We all know that this is harmattan season, so there is poor visibility. Flights must get cancelled. This is force majeure, and the airlines do not owe passengers anything in those instances.

“The enforcement we are initiating today is on cases where the airline is deemed to have been at fault. More will come,” the director explained.

The director also confirmed that the Authority would summon the CEOs of all airlines this week for a meeting regarding flight disruptions and regulatory violations.

Although Achimugu did not reveal the airlines whose sanctions he approved today, sources within the Authority identified them as Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace.