Ethiopian Airlines has pledged to fully comply with the regulations set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after being sanctioned for multiple violations regarding passenger rights. This comes in response to rising complaints from passengers about severe disruptions, including delayed refunds, mishandled baggage, and failure to meet NCAA directives. Following a meeting with the NCAA on Saturday, the airline expressed its commitment to addressing these issues and assured that a compliance report would be submitted by the next day.
The sanctions imposed on Ethiopian Airlines were part of a broader crackdown by the NCAA, which also sanctioned four other African airlines for similar issues. Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, outlined that these sanctions aim to enforce greater accountability within the aviation sector, particularly in the wake of the ongoing challenges faced by passengers. He stressed that airlines are expected to meet their obligations to passengers promptly, particularly when it comes to issuing refunds and handling baggage properly.
Achimugu further clarified that while weather-related disruptions, such as those caused by harmattan—the dry wind from the Sahara—cannot be blamed on airlines, the sanctions are designed to address situations where airlines fail to meet their responsibilities, regardless of external circumstances. The NCAA had previously warned airlines that failure to comply with refund regulations would result in penalties, underscoring the importance of adhering to passenger rights and maintaining operational efficiency, particularly during the busy holiday season.
The Ethiopian Airlines sanctions are part of an effort by the NCAA to improve service quality and ensure that airlines maintain high standards of care for travelers. This move follows a rising trend in complaints regarding poor customer service and operational inefficiency across several African carriers, prompting the Nigerian aviation authority to take a stronger stance. The sanctions serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability within the airline industry.
