Kenya Airways has complied with the directive of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by paying a sanction fee imposed for consumer protection violations, including the widely publicized case involving passenger Gloria Omisore.
The sanction followed a series of complaints regarding passenger handling and operational lapses linked to the airline’s Nigerian services.
The NCAA, which had earlier faulted the carrier for failing to meet key consumer protection standards, held several meetings with Kenya Airways officials, including one attended by the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria and representatives of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), before the matter reached resolution.
Confirming the development, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, said the airline paid the penalty as directed.
He stressed, however, that the sanctions were not punitive but corrective, aimed at ensuring higher standards of safety and improved passenger handling protocols.
“Kenya Airways has a long-standing relationship with Nigeria and we look forward to improvements in their operations within the country. The sanctions do not diminish the positive aspects of the airline’s services, but this was a case-specific penalty”.
He commended the airline for complying with the NCAA’s determination but emphasized that the payment of the fine does not bring the matter to a close, as the timeframe for resolving the underlying issues had already elapsed.
According to him, the NCAA will continue to follow through until all outstanding concerns are fully addressed.
The Authority reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights of passengers while ensuring that airlines also meet their responsibilities, noting that compliance with consumer protection regulations remains non-negotiable in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen