The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to impose disciplinary measures on Qatar Airways following allegations of passenger mistreatment.
The warning was issued in a statement by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, through his verified X handle on Friday.
According to Achimugu, the airline violated the consumer protection provisions outlined in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.
Advertisement
READ MORE : Troops Bust Illegal Arms Factory In Plateau, Recover Weapons
He cited a recent incident involving a Nigerian passenger accused of sexual harassment by a Qatar Airways cabin crew member during boarding in Lagos for a flight to the United States via Doha.
Achimugu explained that the allegation was not reported in Nigeria but was instead raised in Doha, where the passenger was arrested, detained for 18 hours, fined, and forced to sign a document written entirely in Arabic.
Following the ordeal, Qatar Airways allegedly refused to allow the passenger to continue his journey, compelling him to purchase another ticket at significant financial and reputational cost.
The NCAA stressed that the airline would face penalties for its continuous disregard of the regulator’s directives and consumer rights.
Achimugu further disclosed that Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air had been cautioned over similar infractions and warned that they could face severe sanctions if they fail to comply with NCAA regulations.
“The airline 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,” Achimugu stated.
