Lagos, Nigeria – The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced its intention to impose stringent sanctions on Kenya Airways following multiple breaches of aviation regulations, notably the alleged mistreatment of Nigerian passenger Gloria Omisore in Nairobi.
According to NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, Omisore was permitted to board a flight from Lagos to Nairobi without the necessary transit visa for France, her intended layover en route to the United Kingdom. Upon arrival in Nairobi, she faced a 17-hour layover, after which she was informed of an additional 10-hour wait before continuing her journey. During this period, Omisore, who was experiencing medical issues, requested assistance from Kenya Airways staff but was reportedly met with poor treatment.
Achimugu highlighted that Kenya Airways’ Country Manager in Nigeria, James Nganga, acknowledged the airline’s error in boarding Omisore without the required transit visa and admitted to mishandling the situation. Despite this admission, the airline has yet to issue a formal apology or amend its initial public statement, which the NCAA has deemed misleading.
The NCAA has also criticized Kenya Airways for failing to submit a compliance report concerning a seven-hour flight delay, during which passengers were not compensated. When questioned, the airline’s representatives claimed ignorance of NCAA regulations, prompting the authority to plan a retreat for all airlines operating in Nigeria to review and reinforce understanding of the NCAA Regulations 2023, particularly Part 19, which pertains to passenger rights.
In light of these violations, the NCAA is proceeding with enforcement actions against Kenya Airways, emphasizing its commitment to upholding consumer protection rights within Nigeria’s aviation sector. The authority has placed its legal department on notice to ensure due process is followed in implementing the sanctions.
As of now, Kenya Airways has not issued a public response to the NCAA’s planned sanctions.
