NCAA
PicNews
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken a strong stance against Qatar Airways over the unfair treatment of a Nigerian passenger. The passenger, who was traveling to the US with a stopover in Doha, was unlawfully detained for about 18 hours after a cabin crew member alleged that he had touched her butt during boarding. Despite the incident allegedly occurring in Lagos, the airline didn’t report it until the passenger arrived in Doha, where he was forced to sign a document written in Arabic, which he didn’t understand, and pay a hefty fine.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, condemned Qatar Airways’ actions, stating that the airline’s behavior was unacceptable and against consumer protection regulations. Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA will impose heavy sanctions on airlines that flout consumer protection regulations, reiterating the agency’s stance on protecting and regulating aviation matters.
The passenger was subjected to unfair treatment, being detained and forced to pay a fine without proper understanding of the charges or the document he signed. The airline’s actions also showed a lack of transparency, failing to report the incident in Lagos where it allegedly occurred, and instead taking action in Doha. Furthermore, Qatar Airways’ behavior demonstrates a disregard for NCAA regulations and consumer protection laws.
The NCAA’s response highlights its commitment to protecting the rights of air travelers in Nigeria. The authority has warned that it will apply stiff penalties against airlines that fail to comply with consumer protection regulations. Other airlines operating in Nigeria have also been put on notice, with the NCAA warning that they will face similar sanctions if they fail to comply.
