The year 2025 proved to be a challenging one for air travel within and from Nigeria, marked by numerous passenger complaints and subsequent regulatory action. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) took a firm stance, imposing significant sanctions on seven airlines for a range of violations concerning the treatment of passengers and operational standards.
Regulatory Crackdown on Passenger Rights Violations
The Nigerian aviation sector witnessed a notable enforcement drive by the NCAA throughout 2025. While dramatic confrontations between travellers and airline staff occasionally made headlines, the regulator focused on systemic issues affecting consumer rights. From baggage mishandling and delayed refunds to outright maltreatment, the listed infractions prompted the authority to levy heavy fines.
It is important to note that despite a high number of flight disruptions—765 domestic delays and cancellations were recorded in the third quarter alone—with United Nigeria Airlines, Air Peace, and Max Air being the most frequent offenders, no carrier was specifically punished for delays or cancellations. The sanctions were instead based on clear breaches of consumer protection regulations.
The List of Sanctioned Airlines and Their Offences
The sanctioned carriers comprised a mix of foreign and local operators, each penalized for specific failures.
Qatar Airways faced one of the most prominent penalties. On November 19, the airline was fined N5 million for the inhumane treatment of a Nigerian passenger. The incident involved a traveller who was detained in Doha for over 18 hours after a false accusation by a crew member. The NCAA also cited the airline's failure to respond to official investigations into the matter.
Ethiopian Airways was among a group of six airlines sanctioned in February. Its violation included the failure to process passenger refunds in a timely manner, a common grievance among Nigerian travellers.
Kenya Airways was fined in September following a high-profile case involving Nigerian passenger Gloria Omisore. Ms. Omisore was stranded at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport due to a visa issue, leading to a prolonged and poorly managed layover. The airline was penalized for its handling of the situation and related passenger rights violations.
Air Peace, a major local carrier, was also sanctioned in February. The NCAA cited violations of Part 19 of its 2023 Regulations, including delayed refunds, unresponsiveness to directives, mishandled luggage, and issues related to flight disruptions. In response, the airline has pledged operational improvements for 2026, including deploying standby aircraft.
Arik Air faced sanctions for consumer rights violations in February. This followed a turbulent period in 2024 where its operations were temporarily suspended by the government due to a financial dispute with Atlas Petroleum.
Aero Contractors was fined an undisclosed amount for similar breaches. Reports indicated that the airline had refunded over N257.1 million to passengers affected by cancellations between January and August 2025.
Royal Air Maroc, the Moroccan national carrier, was penalized for persistent problems with baggage handling and a poor track record in addressing passenger complaints.
NCAA's Stern Warning for 2026
Looking ahead, the NCAA has signaled an even tougher stance. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, issued a clear warning to airlines. He stated that while unexpected operational hiccups are understood, repeated delays and poor passenger care will no longer be tolerated.
The authority emphasized that airlines must provide adequate care—such as refreshments and accommodation—during extended delays. Achimugu added that the NCAA would begin to "name and shame" non-compliant airlines, threatening tougher sanctions in 2026 to ensure better protection for the flying public in Nigeria.
