Latest news with #NigerianCivilAviationAuthority
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Zawya
Nigeria hits Kenya Airways with sanctions over viral clash with passenger, right breaches
Kenya Airways is facing penalties from Nigerian aviation authorities after the airline was found to have violated consumer protection regulations in at least three separate cases, including the widely publicised incident in February involving passenger Gloria Omisore. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) last week issued a formal sanction letter to Kenya Airways (KQ), citing failures ranging from denial of care to mishandling of refunds and compensation. Among the cases is that of Omisore, whose heated altercation with a KQ agent at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was filmed and circulated on social media. The Lagos-based passenger was en route to Paris via Nairobi, but was denied boarding for not having a Schengen visa — a requirement for entry into the European Union. Kenya Airways said the passenger was instead offered an alternative route to London, which led to the altercation. The situation escalated when Omisore, visibly angry, threw used sanitary pads at the KQ agent. The footage sparked outrage online, drawing wider criticism of the airline's treatment of passengers and handling of customer service. In a statement at the time, Kenya Airways defended its staff, saying they had followed standard immigration and transfer procedures.'The video does not reflect the full context,' the airline said, adding that the matter was referred to security agencies for investigation. KQ also stressed that it upholds mutual respect and expects both staff and passengers to behave responsibly.'While we remain committed to delivering exceptional service, we expect all interactions to be based on mutual respect,' the airline stated.'Our employees deserve to work in a safe and dignified environment, and we do not tolerate any abuse from our employees or guests.'But Nigeria's aviation regulator said the incident — and two other complaints — pointed to deeper systemic issues. NCAA director of public affairs and consumer protection Michael Achimugu said the airline breached key passenger rights.'The sanctions are for consumer protection-related offences, including denial of right to care, failure to fully disclose conditions of carriage, refusal to respond to the Authority's requests, and failure to process refunds and compensation,' Mr Achimugu wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The NCAA has ordered Kenya Airways to pay 1,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) — about $1,300 — to each affected passenger within seven days, and to implement corrective measures.'Failure to comply with the letter will result in stiffer penalties for the airline,' the NCAA said. At the time of going to press, Kenya Airways had not responded to questions regarding the sanctions. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Nigeria's Aviation Sector in Turmoil: A saga of stranded passengers and systemic failure
The recent visa debacle that left hundreds of Nigerian travelers stranded mid-journey has exposed deep-seated issues within the country's aviation sector. At the center of the controversy is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's (NCAA) firm stance on airlines' responsibility for ensuring passengers have proper documentation. However, aviation expert, Ms. Foster, questions the transparency of the sector, asking, 'Where is the data?' She notes that without access to detailed records, proper scrutiny is difficult. Ms. Foster has long been skeptical of the aviation sector's reported numbers, citing past inconsistencies between alleged passenger volumes and real-world airport activity. She believes the visa debacle reveals a broader systemic issue: poor communication, lack of accountability, and a reluctance to embrace real reform. 'The industry is acting like a starving man pretending to be okay,' she said. 'Will we wait until we collapse before asking what's wrong?' While Ms. Foster places some blame on passengers, saying they have a responsibility to educate themselves, she also emphasizes that airlines have an obligation to check documentation at the point of departure and should face penalties when they fail. However, aviation stakeholder, Mr. Percival Uwechue, offers a more nuanced perspective, saying airlines don't exist to make passengers miserable. He notes that final entry decisions lie with destination or transit countries, and even with best efforts, airlines sometimes face last-minute decisions beyond their control. Mr. Uwechue urges the NCAA to collaborate with airline operators, examine internal records of denied boardings, and create a plan to address the issue. He believes a more constructive approach would yield better results than simply issuing threats. The unfolding saga points to a systemic failure spanning passengers, travel agents, airline staff, and regulatory bodies. It highlights the importance of due diligence in international travel and the need for all stakeholders to take responsibility for the entire journey. As the NCAA's firm stance may mark a turning point, it's crucial for all parties involved to work together to prevent similar incidents in the future. The question remains whether the sector will learn from this experience and implement meaningful reforms or continue to operate in a state of limbo. broader systemic issue: poor communication, lack of accountability, and a reluctance to embrace real reform. 'The industry is acting like a starving man pretending to be okay,' she said. 'Will we wait until we collapse before asking what's wrong?' While Ms. Foster places some blame on passengers, saying they have a responsibility to educate themselves, she also emphasizes that airlines have an obligation to check documentation at the point of departure and should face penalties when they fail. However, aviation stakeholder, Mr. Percival Uwechue, offers a more nuanced perspective, saying airlines don't exist to make passengers miserable. He notes that final entry decisions lie with destination or transit countries, and even with best efforts, airlines sometimes face last-minute decisions beyond their control. Mr. Uwechue urges the NCAA to collaborate with airline operators, examine internal records of denied boardings, and create a plan to address the issue. He believes a more constructive approach would yield better results than simply issuing threats. The unfolding saga points to a systemic failure spanning passengers, travel agents, airline staff, and regulatory bodies. It highlights the importance of due diligence in international travel and the need for all stakeholders to take responsibility for the entire journey. As the NCAA's firm stance may mark a turning point, it's crucial for all parties involved to work together to prevent similar incidents in the future. The question remains whether the sector will learn from this experience and implement meaningful reforms or continue to operate in a state of limbo. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
