The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has pledged to impose sanctions on Qatar Airways over allegations of mistreating Nigerian passengers.
In a statement released on Friday via his official X account, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, confirmed that the airline violated consumer protection rules under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.
He recounted an incident in which a Qatar Airways cabin crew member accused a Nigerian passenger of sexual harassment during boarding in Lagos for a U.S.-bound flight via Doha. Rather than reporting the matter in Lagos, the airline escalated it in Doha, where the passenger was arrested, detained for 18 hours, fined, and forced to sign a document written entirely in Arabic.
The airline allegedly refused to complete the passenger’s journey, compelling him to buy another ticket at significant personal and financial cost.
Achimugu added that Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air had also been warned for similar violations and could face severe penalties if they continue to disregard the NCAA’s directives.
He stressed: “The airline @qatarairways has carried on as though Nigerian passengers and the NCAA are not deserving of their respect, dignified treatment, and compliance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. This will be brought to a stop immediately.
“A member of this airline’s cabin crew claimed that, while she was wheeling a passenger during boarding for a flight from Lagos to the US via Doha, a male passenger who was travelling with his wife had touched her butt. She did not report this incident in Lagos. On arrival in Doha, she made an allegation against this passenger, leading to his arrest and detention for about eighteen hours.
“To continue to treat our laws with contempt while respecting regulations across Europe and elsewhere is not ideal and must be brought to a complete and final stop. This department protects the airlines as much as it protects passengers. The DGCA, Captain Chris Najomo, has never minced words about his position on consumer protection issues, and we will apply appropriate and stiff penalties against the airlines that, in perpetuity, fail to comply.”
The NCAA disclosed that Qatar Airways’ country manager ignored an invitation to a meeting over the matter, sending subordinates in his place. The authority further noted that the airline has consistently ignored regulatory determinations, failed to address escalated passenger complaints, and neglected to respond to an official letter of investigation.
Achimugu warned that Nigerian consumer protection rules must be respected, just as airlines comply with those in Europe and elsewhere. He also cautioned that providing false information to the NCAA or flouting its directives is unlawful, reminding that bilateral air service agreements (BASAs) signed with Nigeria must be honored.