The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to international airlines, threatening suspension or heavy fines for carriers found guilty of selling tickets to Nigerian passengers and then returning them mid-journey due to visa or travel restrictions.
In a statement released Thursday and signed by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, the authority condemned the rising number of complaints involving Nigerians being deported from transit points, citing it as a serious breach of passenger rights and a damaging blow to the country’s aviation reputation.
“The NCAA has received several complaints about airlines selling tickets to passengers, only to airlift them halfway to their destinations and deport them back to Nigeria,” the statement read. “Passengers should not be put in a position where they are denied entry or returned at transit points.”
The regulatory agency emphasized that airlines are responsible for verifying and communicating any potential travel restrictions or inadmissibility risks prior to boarding, ensuring passengers are not subjected to humiliation or financial loss.
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Nigerian travelers and maintaining the integrity of the country’s aviation industry, warning that any airline violating these responsibilities will be held fully accountable.