NCAA Orders United Nigeria Airlines to Improve Operations, Halt Route Expansion
NCAA Orders United Nigeria Airlines to Improve Operations, Halt Route Expansion
NCAA Orders United Nigeria Airlines to Improve Operations, Halt Route Expansion
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed United Nigeria Airlines to improve its flight operations, comply strictly with passenger rights regulations and suspend any further route expansion beyond the capacity of its current fleet.
The directive was issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, during a consultative meeting with the airline’s management at the NCAA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Najomo stressed that the NCAA’s regulatory framework was not designed to drive airlines out of business, but to ensure safe, sustainable, efficient and lawful operations within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He warned the airline against operating beyond its available capacity at the expense of passengers, while expressing concern over recent operational disruptions that reportedly left passengers stranded without adequate communication or assistance.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, raised concerns over what he described as the airline’s repeated failure to comply with prescribed operational and consumer protection requirements under Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs), 2023.
Achimugu also criticised the airline’s handling of passenger communication, particularly updates on flight delays and ticket refunds.
He described the recent disruptions as “gross” and warned that the NCAA would no longer tolerate what he termed brazen disregard for regulatory requirements.
The Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, Capt. Donald Spiff, advised the airline to reduce its active routes whenever it has an Aircraft-On-Ground (AOG) situation to prevent further disruptions.
He also directed the carrier to strictly adhere to established regulatory procedures before opening new destinations.
Responding to the directives, United Nigeria Airlines apologised for the challenges experienced by passengers and pledged to resolve all outstanding ticket refund cases within 14 days, in line with the applicable refund timeline.
The NCAA said the engagement was part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance, protect passengers’ rights and promote sustainable operations across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
NCAA Orders United Nigeria Airlines to Improve Operations, Halt Route Expansion
