The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has condemned Qatar Airways for violating Nigerian aviation regulations, particularly Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs, 2023), which protect passenger rights and outline airline responsibilities.
The controversy arose after a Nigerian passenger and his wife traveled from Lagos to the United States via Doha. A Qatar Airways cabin crew member accused the passenger of inappropriate behavior during boarding, but instead of reporting it in Lagos, the crew filed the complaint upon arrival in Doha. This led to the passenger being arrested and detained for 18 hours, during which his wife experienced significant emotional distress without assistance.
The passenger was reportedly forced to pay a substantial fine and sign a document written in Arabic, a language he did not understand, to secure his release. Following this, Qatar Airways refused to transport him to his final destination, forcing him to purchase new tickets at considerable personal cost.
The NCAA criticized the airline for avoiding regulatory engagements. The airline’s country manager in Nigeria reportedly dodged meetings with NCAA officials, sending subordinates instead, a move the authority described as unlawful. The NCAA stressed that airlines must comply with Nigerian regulations, provide accurate information, and adhere to bilateral air service agreements.
In response, the NCAA has warned of potential sanctions, including flight suspensions and other regulatory actions, against airlines that fail to uphold passenger rights and follow Nigerian aviation laws.
