The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is ramping up its efforts to protect passengers’ rights by imposing new fines on airlines for delayed luggage, part of a broader initiative to ensure accountability and improve service standards in the country’s aviation sector.
As part of the enforcement of the Passenger Bill of Rights under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR), the NCAA has begun levying fines on both foreign and local airlines for delayed baggage. Specifically, foreign airlines will face a fine of $170, while domestic carriers will be penalized N10,000 for failure to promptly deliver delayed luggage. According to the regulations, international flights must deliver delayed baggage within 21 days, while local flights are required to do so within 7 days.
NCAA data reveals that, in the first half of 2024, a total of 19,274 pieces of luggage across both foreign and local airlines were reported as delayed or missing. Of these, 18,955 pieces were from international flights, while 319 involved domestic carriers. However, the recovery rate was relatively high, with 17,365 international bags returned to their owners, leaving only 1,590 unaccounted for. All 319 bags from domestic flights were successfully recovered and delivered to passengers.
At a recent roadshow, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, underscored the agency’s commitment to enforcing these new rules. He expressed concern that many Nigerian air travelers had been unaware of their rights, allowing airlines to continue violating those rights. The roadshow aims to educate the public about their entitlements, such as the right to compensation for delayed luggage. For domestic flights, passengers are entitled to N10,000 for delayed baggage, while international passengers can claim $170.
Achimugu also highlighted the role of NCAA’s new Consumer Complaints Portal, which, despite some early challenges, has already increased the number of complaints from passengers. He noted that this portal has placed airlines under greater scrutiny, and the NCAA is preparing to publicly evaluate how airlines are addressing these complaints. The roadshow, which started in Lagos, will also be held in Abuja and Port Harcourt airports to reach a wider audience.
In addition to consumer protection, the NCAA is strengthening aviation security. Recently, a two-week training session took place in Abuja, focusing on the threat of Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS) — lightweight, shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons that are increasingly posing risks to both military and commercial aviation globally. The Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, emphasized the importance of interagency collaboration to address these security threats, stating that Nigeria must work together to safeguard its aviation sector.
Dr. Omogo Bernard Onwe Chinedu, Director of Aviation Security at NCAA, commended the efforts to close existing security gaps and enhance Nigeria’s aviation safety.
Through these initiatives, the NCAA aims to improve passenger experiences, strengthen aviation security, and ensure that the rights of air travelers are respected and enforced.
