November 19, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦5 million fine on Qatar Airways for violations of consumer protection regulations.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, announced the sanction on Wednesday via his official X (Twitter) handle.
According to Achimugu, the penalty followed the airline’s repeated failure to comply with NCAA determinations and respond to several Letters of Investigation (LOIs).
He warned that other unresolved letters issued to the airline “may lead to further sanctions if not treated satisfactorily.”
Achimugu recalled an incident he highlighted on September 19 involving a Nigerian passenger travelling from Lagos to Doha. A Qatar Airways cabin crew member had falsely accused the passenger of misconduct during boarding.
The allegation led to the traveller being detained in Doha for about 18 hours, compelled to pay fines and sign an Arabic-only document, and later denied onward travel—forcing him to buy new tickets at his own expense.
The NCAA spokesperson stressed in the same post that the authority remains committed to protecting aviation stakeholders, stating, “As always, the NCAA is committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders.”
He noted that the latest sanction was issued after Qatar Airways repeatedly ignored NCAA directives and determinations, including matters escalated by the authority.
Achimugu further emphasised that all airlines operating in Nigeria must adhere to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which governs consumer protection.
Providing false information or disregarding NCAA instructions, he warned, is unlawful and attracts penalties.
He added that Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air have also been cautioned over similar infractions and may face sanctions if they fail to comply with regulatory directives.
According to him, while the NCAA remains committed to safeguarding both passengers and airlines, it will enforce compliance strictly to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation laws.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
