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•N10,000 for domestic, $170 for international flights
By Chinelo Obogo
In a move aimed at improving accountability and enhancing passenger rights, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced new fines for airlines responsible for delayed luggage. Effective immediately, international airlines will be fined $170, while domestic carriers will incur a penalty of N10,000 for each instance of delayed baggage.
The announcement was made by Mr. Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, during a roadshow on Monday.
The fine system, in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs), is part of broader measures to address the persistent issue of luggage delays in both domestic and international air travel. Achimugu emphasized that delayed luggage on international flights must be delivered to passengers within 21 days, while domestic flights are required to ensure delivery within seven days.
Achimugu expressed concern over the long-standing ignorance among passengers regarding their rights, which has allowed airlines to disregard these entitlements.
“For years, many Nigerians were unaware of their rights when it came to delayed luggage, allowing airlines to violate these rights without consequence.
“Our roadshow aims to empower passengers with the knowledge of their rights and the necessary steps to take when they are not respected.”
He highlighted that many passengers are unaware that they can demand compensation for delayed luggage. “If your luggage is delayed on a domestic flight, you have the right to request N10,000 compensation from the airline. On international flights, that compensation rises to $170,” Achimugu explained. “Our goal is to end the cycle of ignorance and ensure that passengers are aware of these regulations in a clear and engaging manner.”
Achimugu also discussed the growing role of the NCAA’s consumer complaints portal, which has seen a notable increase in passenger complaints. He noted that the portal has made airlines more responsive to consumer concerns.
“The portal has played a key role in ensuring that airlines address complaints in a timely manner,” he said. “We will soon release information about how airlines are tackling these issues. Additionally, the NCAA will be hosting a stakeholders’ summit in Lagos on Tuesday, where industry participants—air traffic controllers, airlines, and passengers—will come together to discuss solutions for improving air travel.”
According to an executive summary from the NCAA, in the first half of 2024, 19,274 pieces of luggage were reported as delayed or missing across all airlines operating in Nigeria. Of these, 18,955 related to international airlines, while 319 were attributed to domestic carriers. The summary revealed that the majority of international luggage—17,365 items—was recovered, though 1,590 pieces remain unaccounted for. On the other hand, all 319 pieces of missing luggage from domestic carriers were successfully recovered and delivered to passengers by Nigeria’s 13 domestic airlines. The executive summary also revealed that Air France recorded the highest number of missing baggage, with 2,075 cases.
Other foreign carriers with significant delays included KLM (1,938), Egypt Air (1,850), and Royal Air Maroc (1,745).
Domestic carriers, by contrast, reported far fewer instances of missing luggage, with Air Peace accounting for just 49.
The initiative by the NCAA is part of a wider effort to improve the air travel experience for Nigerian passengers. By raising awareness of passengers’ rights and ensuring that airlines are held accountable, the NCAA is working to create a more transparent and customer-focused aviation industry.
