The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has wielded the big stick against foreign airlines that sell tickets to passengers but fail to transport them to their final destinations, instead deporting them back to Nigeria.
NCAA in a statement, expressed worries over the rising number of complaints from affected travelers, noting the emotional and financial distress caused by such incidents.
According to the regulatory agency, some foreign airlines have been denying Nigerian passengers entry at intermediate or transit stops due to visa and travel restrictions, leaving them stranded and frustrated.
Meanwhile, going forward, NCAA has vowed to impose penalties, including suspensions and fines, on any airline found guilty of such sharp practices.
The statement signed by Michael Achimugu, the Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, said the NCAA finds such policies completely unacceptable, further describing it as the responsibility of airlines to inform passengers about any potential barriers to their admissibility at their destinations before they commence their travel.
He further stated that passengers must not be put in a position where they are denied entry or returned to Nigeria only on arrival at international/transit stops.
He reiterated that this is in line with the provision of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 19.21.1.1, which states that all airlines and their agents shall ensure that passengers are informed of any potential admissibility issues or travel restrictions in advance of their departure.
He said, “airlines must take appropriate measures to screen and provide passengers with accurate, up to date information regarding their travel documents and visa requirements before issuing a ticket and proceeding to board them”.
However, the NCAA has informed international airlines operating in Nigeria that it would no longer tolerate these occurrences.
“Effective immediately, any airline found to be engaging in such practices will be subject to regulatory action, including but not limited to fines, suspension of flight operations or other measures deemed appropriate”.