LAGOS — The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered Air Peace to pay immediate financial compensation to stranded passengers following a protracted operational delay, reinforcing its regulatory mandate on domestic passenger rights and carrier accountability.
The directive, issued through the NCAA’s Directorate of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, follows a wave of passenger complaints regarding sudden flight schedules, prolonged airport delays, and inadequate care during prolonged ground holds. Under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations—which governs passenger rights, flight cancellations, and delays—the regulatory body mandated the airline to provide duty of care, including refreshments and immediate monetary compensation or flight rebooking options for affected travelers.
Aviation officials confirmed that the regulatory enforcement was triggered after passengers on affected routes faced unscheduled delays exceeding statutory limits without timely communication or requisite logistical support from ground staff. The NCAA reiterated that while it remains committed to supporting the commercial viability of local operators, it will not tolerate willful abandonment or poor service delivery that compromises air travelers’ rights.
In response to the sanction, Air Peace management maintained that operational delays are often driven by safety protocols, unfavorable weather conditions, and VIP movement restrictions, while assuring the regulator and the traveling public that all verified compensation claims under consumer protection guidelines are being processed.
By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
