The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that it will sanction airlines that fail to refund passengers within 14 days after flight delays or delays, when the request for refunds is made by passengers.

This is just as NCAA also said that failure to comply with Part 19 of Nigerian Aviation Regulations (NCARs) will be sanctioned immediately.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu,who gave the warning, stated that failure by any airline to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of 14 days of the NCAA regulations 2023 will be adequately anctioned.

The NCAA image maker stated that he had spent an entire year engaging airlines, listening to their challenges, and partnering with them to give passengers a better travel experience.

He noted that while most airlines have been responsive, others have refused to comply with regulations on passengers’ rights, stressing that the relationship between operators and the regulator has worked better than in the past and this is good for passengers.

“This is not hot air. The Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA has done a lot to sensitive passengers and the business of operators. The time has come for airlines to repay the good faith and support they have gotten from the regulator.”

“Our CPOs have received instructions not to chase down airlines to comply with the regulations. Every case of non-compliance will be met with adequate sanctions. Not a single airline will say that they have not been given a listening ear. The Authority has been balanced.”

“Apologies to passengers whose refunds have taken longer than necessary. It is not ideal. I am pursuing a review of the regulations to cut the timeframe to seven days. It is doable. Nigerian passengers deserve world-class service.,”he said

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and the Acting Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo have been very supportive of operators, especially domestic airlines, adding that this guy is well-captured in the Keyamo’s five–point agenda and Najomo’s 2024 Action Plan of (Ease of Doing Business).