The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced its intention to impose sanctions on Qatar Airways following allegations of passenger mistreatment and repeated violations of consumer protection regulations.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to Achimugu, the airline has failed to comply with consumer protection provisions under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, prompting regulatory action.
He recounted a recent incident in which a Nigerian passenger was accused by a Qatar Airways cabin crew member of sexual harassment during boarding in Lagos for a flight to the United States via Doha. The crew member allegedly did not report the matter while in Nigeria but raised the complaint upon arrival in Doha.
As a result, the passenger was arrested, detained for 18 hours, fined, and compelled to sign documents written exclusively in Arabic. Qatar Airways subsequently refused to allow him to complete his journey, forcing him to buy a new ticket at significant financial and reputational cost.
Achimugu criticized the airline for failing to follow due process by not reporting the incident in Nigeria, where the allegation originated. He stated that such conduct violates both local and international aviation standards.
“The airline @qatarairways has carried on as though Nigerian passengers and the NCAA are not deserving of their respect, dignified treatment, or compliance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. This will be brought to an immediate stop,” the statement read.
He further emphasized that the authority will no longer tolerate disrespect for Nigerian aviation laws: “To continue to treat our laws with contempt while complying with those in Europe and elsewhere is unacceptable. The DGCA, Captain Chris Najomo, has made it clear that consumer protection is a top priority. Stiff penalties will be imposed on airlines that continually flout the rules.”
The NCAA also disclosed that Qatar Airways’ country manager was invited to a meeting to address the incident but failed to appear, sending subordinates instead. The airline has reportedly ignored regulatory directives, failed to respond to passenger complaints escalated by the NCAA, and has not acknowledged a formal letter of investigation.
In addition to Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air have also been cautioned for similar infractions and may face sanctions if they fail to comply with NCAA regulations.
Achimugu warned that providing false information to the NCAA or disregarding its directives is unlawful and that bilateral air service agreements (BASAs) signed with Nigeria must be respected.
He concluded by reaffirming the NCAA’s commitment to ensuring that all airlines operating in Nigeria are held to the same standards of accountability and consumer protection as they are in other jurisdictions.
