The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced its intention to sanction Qatar Airways over alleged mistreatment of Nigerian passengers. In a statement, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Michael Achimugu said the airline has breached consumer‑protection regulations under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.
The issue stems from a recent incident in which a Nigerian passenger was accused of sexual harassment by a Qatar Airways cabin crew member during boarding in Lagos. The passenger was reportedly detained for 18 hours in Doha, fined, and forced to sign a document written solely in Arabic. The airline initially failed to report the incident in Nigeria and refused to continue the passenger’s journey, causing significant financial and reputational damage.
The NCAA has criticised Qatar Airways for ignoring its directives and neglecting passenger complaints. It warned that providing false information or disregarding its orders is unlawful and that bilateral air‑service agreements with Nigeria must be honoured. The authority also cautioned other carriers, including Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air, that similar infractions could lead to heavy sanctions if they do not comply with regulatory decisions.
Achimugu stressed that Nigeria’s consumer‑protection rules must be respected, just as airlines adhere to regulations in Europe and elsewhere. The NCAA invited Qatar Airways’ country manager to discuss the incident, but he sent subordinates instead of attending himself. The authority reiterated that it will impose stiff penalties on airlines that fail to follow regulatory determinations and ignore passenger complaints.
The decision to sanction Qatar Airways marks a significant step toward protecting the rights of Nigerian passengers and ensuring that airlines operating in the country comply with regulatory requirements. The NCAA’s actions demonstrate its commitment to upholding consumer‑protection laws and promoting fair treatment of passengers. As the authority continues to monitor the situation, other airlines are likely to take note and review their own compliance with Nigerian regulations.
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