The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered domestic airlines to blacklist unruly passengers as a strong deterrent. The authority said the move will protect airline staff and restore discipline in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, announced the directive in a statement on Wednesday. He explained that the decision followed regulatory discussions with airlines on passenger management, refunds, RFID bag tags, flight monitoring, and in-flight phone switch-off rules.
Airlines at the meeting included Air Peace, Arik Air, Ibom Air, Max Air, Aero Contractors, Rano Air, Overland Airways, Green Africa, ValueJet, and United Nigeria. Achimugu warned that many carriers hesitate to act against disruptive passengers despite frequent incidents.
“Passengers are obsessed with rights but not responsibilities. We will continue to educate until this changes,” he said.
He insisted that airline crews deserve protection and respect, stressing that paying for tickets does not give passengers the right to harass or assault workers. The NCAA said airlines must enforce discipline to safeguard their employees.
Achimugu highlighted the need to protect airline staff while improving the travel experience for passengers. He advised travelers to channel complaints through the NCAA instead of resorting to violence.
He acknowledged that passengers pay high airfares and deserve quality service, but he stressed that airlines must also fulfill their obligations. “We will support airlines, but they must also do their duties to customers,” he added.
