Nigerian Government to sanction Turkish Airlines

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced its readiness to invoke relevant regulatory sections to sanction Turkish Airlines for mistreating Nigerian passengers. This was disclosed by Mr. Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, in a statement to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant agencies to ensure the protection of Nigerian passengers’ rights at all times.

Currently, the NCAA is mediating a dispute between Turkish Airlines and aviation labor unions, which has resulted in the picketing of the airline’s operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Achimugu stated that the agency would not hesitate to impose severe penalties and sanctions on Turkish Airlines due to the airline’s failure to airlift stranded Nigerian passengers to Istanbul. The Federal Government and its agencies are committed to addressing any violations of Nigerian passengers’ rights by any airline, including foreign carriers.

Achimugu revealed that the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, had initiated reconciliatory talks between Turkish Airlines’ Country Manager and the unions during a virtual meeting from the United Kingdom. However, the airline’s representative displayed disrespectful behavior, which the regulator considered a disregard for the system.

Given this infraction, Achimugu indicated that the Federal Government is prepared to investigate the situation thoroughly and impose appropriate sanctions if Turkish Airlines is found culpable. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that no airline tramples on the rights of Nigerian passengers.

Over 300 passengers remain stranded due to the ongoing dispute between Turkish Airlines and the aviation unions, with the carrier having canceled all flights in and out of Nigeria until Thursday. Although Turkish Airlines claimed to have informed passengers via email about the operational hitch, some passengers still showed up at Lagos Airport.

Achimugu confirmed that the NCAA is investigating the circumstances surrounding Turkish Airlines’ inability to operate flights due to the union’s picketing. He reassured that the rights of Nigerian passengers would be upheld.

“President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, FAAN, and relevant agencies to protect Nigerian passengers’ rights. Currently, the NCAA is engaging with Turkish Airlines officials, but we have observed unacceptable behavior from the airline’s Country Manager during discussions with our Director-General,” Achimugu stated.

“If our investigation finds the airline culpable, we will invoke Part 17 of our regulations to administer the appropriate punishment.”