The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced stringent measures against airlines that fail to deliver passengers’ luggage on time.
To tackle the growing issue of delayed baggage, the NCAA will implement fines of $170 for international carriers and N10,000 for domestic airlines as a first line of action.
In an effort to raise awareness, NCAA officials hosted a roadshow at the Lagos airport on Monday, aimed at educating travelers about their rights ahead of the upcoming festive season.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, emphasized the agency’s commitment to enforcing these penalties.
He expressed regret that many air travelers have remained unaware of their rights, allowing airlines to neglect passenger welfare without consequence.
Achimugu noted that for far too long, Nigerian passengers lacked knowledge about the regulations that protect them.
He stressed that this ignorance has enabled airlines to continuously violate passengers’ rights without fear of reprisal.
“Our duty is to bring awareness to the industry. The passengers need to become more aware of their rights so that airlines will not continue to cheat them,” Achimugu said.
He further clarified the rights of passengers when their luggage is delayed. For domestic flights, travelers can approach the airline counter to claim a compensation of N10,000, while those on international flights are entitled to $170.
Unfortunately, many passengers have been unaware of this entitlement. With the roadshow, the NCAA aims to end this cycle of ignorance and inform passengers of their rights under the NCAA’s regulations.
Additionally, Achimugu highlighted the launch of a new NCAA website designed to make the reporting process more accessible.
The portal has already led to a surge in complaints from passengers and has placed airlines under greater scrutiny, compelling them to adhere to regulations.
The NCAA has also planned similar roadshows in Abuja and Port Harcourt to further spread the message to travelers across Nigeria.
Achimugu’s comments come at a time when the NCAA has reported significant numbers of delayed or missing luggage, particularly among foreign airlines. A recent executive summary revealed that Air France had the highest number of cases, with 2,075 incidents.
Other carriers with substantial baggage issues included KLM (1,938), Egypt Air (1,850), Royal Air Maroc (1,745), British Airways (1,428), Lufthansa (1,535), and Kenya Airways (1,346). In total, over 19,000 bags from both foreign and domestic airlines were reported delayed or missing in the first half of 2024.
The NCAA’s efforts to protect passengers and hold airlines accountable reflect a growing commitment to enhancing the air travel experience in Nigeria.
