Key Points

• NCAA warns airlines to respect the 14-day refund rule.

• Passengers can report delayed refunds to the NCAA portal.

• Airlines risk sanctions for failing to meet refund timelines.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned both local and international airlines that they need to fix the problem of passengers complaining about getting their money back for tickets that were delayed or not given. As required by current consumer protection laws, the regulator reminded carriers that they must handle refund requests within 14 days of cancellation.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs, said that the agency has seen an increase in reports from angry travellers who have been waiting weeks or even months to get their money back. He said that the authority will no longer put up with “deliberate disregard” for passenger rights and is ready to punish any airline that doesn’t follow the rules.

Passengers are angry about delays in refunds

Nigerian travellers are getting more and more upset with how airlines handle ticket problems, especially when flights are cancelled or schedules change at the last minute. A lot of passengers say that their requests for refunds are often ignored or put off, leaving them stuck with no way out.

According to a report by the Punch news, Achimugu said, “The rule is clear: passengers have the right to get their money back within 14 days of cancelling their tickets.” “We expect airlines to do this without making excuses. If you don’t do this, the government will take action.

He also said that some airlines have tried to explain why refunds are taking so long by saying they don’t have enough cash flow or foreign currency. However, the NCAA says that protecting consumers must come first.

NCAA stands by its 14-day refund policy

The aviation authority is sticking to its guns when it comes to enforcing the 14-day refund policy for both domestic and international flights. Achimugu made it clear that this rule still stands, no matter if the ticket was bought in naira or a foreign currency.

He said that the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department is already keeping an eye on airlines to make sure they follow the rules and will start giving out fines for any violations that are found. Passengers should also use the authority’s online complaint portal to report any delays in getting their money back.

According to experts, the NCAA’s renewed enforcement could help Nigeria’s air transport sector regain some of the trust it has lost in recent years.

Airlines are being watched closely to see if they follow the rules for refunds

Some airline operators have privately said that the 14-day window is hard to work with, especially when it comes to international clearing systems. But consumer advocates say that these kinds of excuses have been used for too long.

Analysts think that the regulator’s tough stance could finally make Nigeria’s aviation industry more accountable. Ifeanyi Umeh, an aviation analyst, said, “It’s about time passengers stopped being at the mercy of airlines.”

The NCAA says it will keep talking to airlines about compliance for now, but it will not be lenient anymore. Achimugu said, “The rules are clear, and enforcement has started.”