The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to Turkish Airlines regarding the mistreatment of Nigerian passengers.
NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, revealed to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that the organization would not hesitate to enforce relevant sections of its regulations to sanction the airline.
Achimugu stated that President Bola Tinubu had directed the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant agencies to ensure the protection of Nigerian passengers’ rights at all times.
The NCAA is currently mediating a dispute between Turkish Airlines and aviation labor unions, who recently picketed the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The picketing has resulted in over 300 Nigerian passengers being stranded at the airport after Turkish Airlines canceled flights to and from Istanbul. Achimugu emphasized that the Federal Government and its agencies would not tolerate any violations of Nigerian passengers’ rights by any airline, including foreign carriers.
The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, initiated reconciliatory efforts through a virtual meeting with the Country Manager of Turkish Airlines and the unions. However, Achimugu reported that the airline’s representative displayed impudence, including engaging in a shouting match and banging the table during discussions with the NCAA.
“The NCAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Turkish Airlines’ inability to operate flights out of Lagos Airport due to the picketing of its operations by aviation unions,” Achimugu said. “We will ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are not violated.”
He reiterated that the NCAA would not hesitate to implement stiff penalties and sanctions if Turkish Airlines is found culpable. The Federal Government, he added, is committed to ensuring that no airline tramples on the rights of Nigerian passengers.
Achimugu also mentioned that Turkish Airlines claimed to have communicated with passengers via electronic mail about the ongoing operational hitch, but some passengers still showed up at the Lagos Airport unaware of the situation.
“The behavior exhibited by the Country Manager towards the NCAA is unacceptable,” Achimugu continued.
“At the end of our findings, if the airline is found culpable, we will invoke the relevant parts of our regulation Part 17 to mete out the right punishment.”
The Nigerian government is taking every necessary step to address the issue and ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are safeguarded, maintaining a firm stance against any foreign airline that disregards the dignity and welfare of its citizens.
