Amanze Chinonye
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to Qatar Airways over alleged mistreatment of a Nigerian passenger and repeated breaches of Nigeria’s consumer protection regulations, saying the airline risks heavy penalties if it continues to flout the law.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said on Friday that the airline has shown “disdain” for Nigerian passengers and the regulator by ignoring invitations to resolve complaints and failing to comply with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which guarantees passenger rights.
The Alleged Incident
According to the NCAA, a Nigerian man travelling with his wife from Lagos to the United States via Doha was accused by a Qatar Airways cabin crew member of inappropriately touching her while boarding in Lagos. The allegation was not reported in Nigeria but was made upon arrival in Doha, where the passenger was arrested and detained for about 18 hours.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDuring his detention, his wife reportedly suffered “mental, physical, and psychological trauma” without any care from the airline. NCAA said the man was fined and forced to sign a document written entirely in Arabic a language he did not understand before being denied onward travel to his final destination. He eventually purchased a new ticket on another airline at significant financial and reputational cost.
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Regulator Accuses Airline of Non-Compliance
Achimugu said the NCAA invited Qatar Airways to a meeting to address the incident, but the airline’s country manager repeatedly sent subordinates instead of attending in person. Despite determinations made at that meeting, the airline allegedly failed to implement the regulator’s directives and ignored a subsequent Letter of Investigation.
“It is against the law for any airline not to respond to the NCAA. It is against the law to provide false information to the NCAA. It is against the law to fail to comply with the provisions of Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023,” Achimugu stated, warning that the agency will apply “appropriate and stiff penalties” if Qatar Airways continues to disregard Nigerian law.
The NCAA says the case highlights a growing problem of some foreign carriers treating Nigerian passengers and regulations with contempt while complying fully in Europe and other jurisdictions. By threatening sanctions, the NCAA aims to protect travellers from abuse, ensure respect for bilateral air service agreements (BASAs), and reinforce Nigeria’s authority over airlines operating within its airspace.
“This department protects the airlines as much as it protects passengers,” Achimugu said, adding that Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air have also been cautioned for similar infractions and will face sanctions if they fail to comply.
The warning signals a tougher enforcement stance that could reshape how international carriers operate in Nigeria. For passengers, it means the NCAA is prepared to defend their rights and hold airlines accountable for mistreatment or regulatory breaches sending a clear message that foreign carriers cannot ignore Nigerian consumer protection laws without consequence.
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