Nigerian aviation regulators call Air Peace to account for leaving travelers grounded, scheduling chaos

By Dickson Omobola

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has summoned the largest airline in the country, Air Peace, over what it described as unexplained disruptions.

Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, also disclosed on X over the weekend that the agency received complaints from passengers on the Heathrow-Abuja flight who were rerouted via Gatwick-Lagos-Abuja and left stranded in Lagos.

According to him, an investigation into these disruptions would be conducted, and appropriate action would be taken.

His words: “Air Peace has been summoned to the NCAA HQ for an urgent meeting on Monday with regards to a number of unexplained disruptions, including complaints received today from passengers on the Heathrow-Abuja flight who were rerouted via Gatwick-Lagos-Abuja and left stranded in Lagos.

“The above, along with cases of delayed refunds, compensations/first needs, has activated the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA.

“We will not tolerate any abandonment of paying passengers. While the Authority continues to support domestic carriers, we hold all operators to the strictest standards.

“An investigation into these disruptions will be conducted and appropriate action taken as usual based on the facts of the incident as enshrined in Part 19 of the NCAA regulations 2023. The NCAA, as the sole regulatory agency for civil aviation in Nigeria, remains committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders.”