The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced its readiness to enforce regulations against Turkish Airlines for mistreating Nigerian passengers.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, informed the media in Lagos on Wednesday.
Achimugu stated that Bola Tinubu has instructed 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 the European carrier and aviation labor unions, who have picketed the airline’s operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA would impose strict penalties on Turkish Airlines if it continues to leave Nigerian passengers stranded at the airport due to its failure to transport them to Istanbul.
He assured that the Federal Government and its agencies are committed to holding any airline accountable for violating Nigerian passengers’ rights.
The NCAA’s Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, held a virtual meeting from the United Kingdom on Tuesday to initiate reconciliation efforts between the Country Manager of Turkish Airlines and the unions.
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However, the airline’s representative displayed a lack of respect, which the regulator found unacceptable.
Achimugu warned that the Federal Government would thoroughly investigate the issue and impose appropriate sanctions if Turkish Airlines is found culpable.
He reaffirmed that the government is dedicated to protecting the rights of Nigerian passengers and will address any violations by foreign airlines operating in the country.
He also confirmed that over 300 passengers have been affected by the ongoing dispute, with Turkish Airlines canceling flights in and out of Nigeria until Thursday.
Despite the airline’s claims of having communicated the situation to passengers via email, some passengers still arrived at Lagos Airport unaware of the cancellations.
He said: “The NCAA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the inability of Turkish Airlines to operate flights out of Lagos Airport, due to the picketing of its operations by aviation unions.
“We will ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are not violated.
“President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, FAAN and relevant agencies to ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are protected.
“Currently, the NCAA is engaging officials of Turkish Airlines, but we have observed some degree of insolence of the Country Manager, who engaged our D-G in a shouting match, he was even banging the table.
“This behaviour to the NCAA is unacceptable. At the end of our findings, if the airline is found culpable, we will invoke the relevant parts of our regulation Part 17, to met out the right punishment.”
Source: (Daily Post)
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