NCAA To Sanction Airlines Over Delays

• The NCAA has expressed strong disapproval of the frequent instances of deceptive departure time scheduling by commercial airlines and issued a stern warning to cease such infractions
• The NCAA Acting Director General emphasized that as the NCAA makes business operations easier for operators, the operators must provide superior services to passengers, and offenders will face significant regulatory actions

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) strongly disapproves of commercial airlines’ frequent instances of deceptive departure time scheduling and has warned these airlines to cease such infractions or face severe regulatory actions.

The Acting Director General of Civil Aviation in Nigeria, Capt. Chris Najomo, emphasized this stance on Tuesday at the Authority’s corporate headquarters in Abuja. Through the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, Capt. During a media interview, Najomo outlined the Authority’s new zero-tolerance approach to regulatory violations.

Upon assuming office, Capt. Najomo prioritized making business operations smoother, forming the core of his action plan for the NCAA. “In line with that action plan, he has simplified the licensing process for operators. The time to secure an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is now shorter and less cumbersome than it used to be. The NCAA, therefore, expects reciprocity from airlines, primarily in the form of world-class services to passengers,” said Achimugu.

The Acting DGCA underscored that as the NCAA makes business operations easier for operators, the operators, in turn, must provide superior services to passengers. “It has come to our notice that some airlines are being reported for advertising deceitful departure times. The NCAA regulation states that no airline shall display deceitful passenger departure times at its counter, in advertising materials, or on its website.”

Capt. Najomo clarified that the NCAA has directed increased monitoring of such activities and that offenders will face significant regulatory actions.