NCAA Imposes Strict Fines on Airlines for Lost or Delayed Luggage

NCAA Fines Airlines $170/N10,000 for Delayed Luggage

“The little things about the regulations that the passengers need to know, for instance, if you arrive at an airport and...”

NCAA Cracks Down on Missing Luggage - Air France, KLM, and Egypt Air Top List of Offenders

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has introduced robust measures to tackle luggage delays by airlines.

Key provisions include:

° International airlines: $170 fine for delayed luggage

° Domestic carriers: ₦10,000 fine for delayed luggage

 Passenger compensation:

    ° Domestic flights: up to $1,000

    ° International flights: up to $1,288 (Special Drawing Rights)

The NCAA unveiled these measures at an October event in Abuja.

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is taking bold steps to protect air travelers' rights. On November 18, Michael Achimugu, NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, reaffirmed the agency's commitment to enforcing sanctions during the holiday travel season. At the Lagos airport sensitization roadshow, Achimugu assured travelers that airlines found guilty of violating regulations would face penalties without exception.

Achimugu lamented that many travelers have remained unaware of their rights, enabling airlines to infringe upon them. To address this, the roadshow aimed to educate passengers about their rights under NCAA regulations and guide them on filing complaints.

He said: “For way too long, Nigerians have been claiming not to know about the existence and the duties of the NCAA. Our duty, which is what we owe Nigerians, is to bring awareness to the industry. The passengers need to become more aware of their rights so that airlines will not continue to cheat them.

“The little things about the regulations that the passengers need to know, for instance, if you arrive at an airport and your luggage didn't arrive with you, most passengers do not know that they have a right to demand compensation m the airlines.

“If it is a domestic flight, you can walk to the airline's counter to demand for your N10,000 for not bringing your bag with you. For international flights, it is $170. A lot of passengers do not know this thing, but today, we are bringing an end to that circle of ignorance. We are bringing the regulations to Nigerians in an exciting manner.”

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, has announced a game-changer for passengers: the newly launched NCAA website. This platform streamlines reporting, boosts passenger awareness, and increases complaints filed. The website has already prompted airlines to step up their service quality.

Key Benefits of the NCAA Website:

Improved Reporting: Passengers can easily report issues, ensuring prompt action.

Increased Awareness: Travelers are now more informed about their rights and options.

Enhanced Accountability: Airlines are motivated to improve services to avoid complaints.

Achimugu's sensitization drive extends beyond Lagos to Abuja and Port Harcourt airports, broadening outreach to travelers nationwide. An executive summary reveals alarming rates of missing baggage incidents among Nigerian airlines.

Next Steps:

Roadshow Expansion: Sensitization events will cover more airports, educating travelers.

Stakeholders' Summit: Industry stakeholders will convene to address concerns and improve services.

By empowering passengers and pushing airlines to improve, the NCAA website is a significant step toward better air travel experiences in Nigeria.

Missing Luggage Incidents: Foreign Carriers (Jan-Jun 2024)

Top Offenders:

1. Air France - 2,075 cases

2. KLM - 1,938 cases

3. Egypt Air - 1,850 cases

4. Royal Air Maroc - 1,745 cases

5. Lufthansa - 1,535 cases

Other Notable Carriers:

° British Airways - 1,428 cases

° Kenya Airways - 1,346 cases

° Delta Airlines - 1,101 cases

° Qatar Airways - 980 cases

° Ethiopian Airlines - 545 cases

° Air Cote d'Ivoire - 424 cases

° Rwandair - 365 cases

Best Performers:

° Asky - 290 cases

° South African Airways - 77 cases

° Air Peace - 49 cases

° Africa World Airlines - 35 cases

° Taag Angola - 31 cases

° Middle East Airlines - 5 cases

Total Incidents:

° 19,274 passengers' bags reported delayed/missing across all airlines (foreign & domestic) in H1 2024.