The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced its intention to impose sanctions on Qatar Airways due to allegations of mistreating Nigerian passengers. According to a statement released by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the airline has failed to comply with consumer protection regulations under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.
A recent incident involving a Nigerian passenger who was accused of sexual harassment by a Qatar Airways cabin crew member during boarding in Lagos has sparked the NCAA’s concerns. The passenger was allegedly detained for 18 hours in Doha, fined, and forced to sign a document written solely in Arabic, despite the airline’s initial failure to report the incident in Nigeria. The airline also refused to continue the passenger’s journey, resulting in significant financial and reputational costs.
The NCAA has criticized Qatar Airways for disregarding its directives and neglecting to respond to passenger complaints. The authority has warned that providing false information or disregarding its directives is unlawful and that bilateral air service agreements signed with Nigeria must be upheld. The NCAA has also cautioned other airlines, including Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air, for similar infractions and risks imposing heavy sanctions if they fail to comply with regulatory decisions.
Achimugu emphasized that Nigeria’s consumer protection rules must be respected, just as airlines comply with those in Europe and elsewhere. The NCAA has invited Qatar Airways’ country manager to a meeting over the incident, but he failed to attend, sending subordinates instead. The authority has stressed that it will apply stiff penalties against airlines that fail to comply with regulatory determinations and ignore passenger complaints.
The NCAA’s decision to impose sanctions on Qatar Airways is a significant step towards protecting the rights of Nigerian passengers and ensuring that airlines operating in the country comply with regulatory requirements. The authority’s actions demonstrate its commitment to upholding consumer protection laws and promoting fair treatment of passengers. As the NCAA continues to monitor the situation, it is likely that other airlines will take note of the authority’s stance and review their own compliance with Nigerian regulations.
