Passengers in Nigeria have long felt the sting of waiting weeks, sometimes a full month for refunds after canceling flights. That frustration has now drawn a sharp reaction from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which has issued a firm warning: domestic airlines must process ticket refunds within 14 days.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, took to social media to underline that any promise to delay refunds up to four weeks violates existing regulations. He referred to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which explicitly demands that refunds be settled within two weeks. Airlines that continue to mislead passengers with longer timelines, he said, are acting against both the law and consumer interests.
In his message, Achimugu chided the airlines: there cannot be conflicting rules about refund timeframes. The regulatory mandate is clear and nonnegotiable. He urged aggrieved travelers to document correspondence from airlines and forward them to the NCAA’s consumer protection offices via email. The authorities intend to respond to complaints and enforce compliance.
This intervention comes after persistent reports that some carriers use vague promises or delay tactics to avoid prompt repayment. Such practices, according to the NCAA, erode public trust in the regulatory system and harm consumers who may already be vulnerable.
For many Nigerians, waiting weeks to reclaim money for canceled travel plans has become an accepted hardship, but now the NCAA is drawing a boundary. If airlines fail to comply, further action may follow, including fines or sanctions.
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Emmanuel Onwuka