The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced it is prepared to enforce sanctions against Turkish Airlines for mistreatment of Nigerian passengers.
This statement was made by NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in Lagos.
Achimugu stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant agencies to ensure the protection of Nigerian passengers’ rights at all times. “President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, FAAN, and relevant agencies to ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are protected,” he said.
The NCAA is currently mediating between the European carrier and aviation labor unions, which recently picketed the airline’s operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. “The NCAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the inability of Turkish Airlines to operate flights out of Lagos Airport, due to the picketing of its operations by aviation unions,” Achimugu noted.
Due to Turkish Airlines’ failure to airlift Nigerian passengers to Istanbul, many are still stranded at the airport. Achimugu emphasized that the Federal Government will not hesitate to impose severe penalties if the airline is found to have violated passenger rights. “We will ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are not violated,” he added. Over 300 passengers are reportedly affected by the airline’s canceled flights, with services halted until Thursday.
Despite Turkish Airlines claiming to have informed passengers about operational disruptions via email, many passengers still arrived at Lagos Airport unaware of the cancellations. Achimugu highlighted that the NCAA is investigating the situation and is ready to enforce relevant regulations, including Part 17 of its guidelines, if the airline is found culpable. “At the end of our findings, if the airline is found culpable, we will invoke the relevant parts of our regulation Part 17, to mete out the right punishment,” he stated.
Achimugu also noted that the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, attempted to mediate during a virtual meeting with the Country Manager of Turkish Airlines. However, the airline’s representative demonstrated disrespectful behavior, further aggravating the situation. “Currently, the NCAA is engaging officials of Turkish Airlines, but we have observed some degree of insolence of the Country Manager, who engaged our D-G in a shouting match, he was even banging the table,” Achimugu reported. “This behaviour to the NCAA is unacceptable.”
The NCAA has vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure the rights of Nigerian passengers are upheld and to hold any airline accountable for infractions against Nigerian aviation regulations. “The Federal Government and its agencies would spare no effort to call to order any airline that violates the rights of Nigerian passengers,” Achimugu affirmed.
