The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced its readiness to impose regulatory sanctions on Turkish Airlines following allegations of passenger mistreatment.
This development comes after approximately 300 passengers were stranded at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos due to flight cancellations and lack of communication from the airline.
During a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, disclosed that the regulatory body is investigating the circumstances leading to the operational disruptions of Turkish Airlines. “We will invoke the relevant parts of our regulation Part 17 to mete out the right punishment if the airline is found culpable,” Achimugu stated.
The incident began when Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) members picketed Turkish Airlines.
The unions protested against the airline’s alleged unjust dismissal and forced resignation of seven employees in 2020. The picketing led to significant flight delays and cancellations, leaving many passengers, including those from Edo State relying on Turkish Airlines due to the lack of direct flights from Italy to Nigeria, stranded.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant agencies to ensure the protection of Nigerian passengers’ rights. “President Bola Tinubu has directed the NCAA, FAAN, and relevant agencies to ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are protected,” Achimugu emphasized.
Despite the tension, a temporary resolution was reached following the NCAA’s intervention. NUATE agreed to suspend their actions to allow stranded passengers to be airlifted. Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of NLC, Olabisi Adebayo Idowu, confirmed that this decision was made purely on humanitarian grounds.
Turkish Airlines, on its part, denied the union’s allegations, claiming that the dismissed employees were involved in ticket racketeering, causing the airline a significant financial loss estimated at over $600,000. The airline stated that the disciplinary actions were justified and that the union was involved in the process. “The Airline has no tolerance for illegal and wrongful actions and will act accordingly and exercise all its legal rights regarding the process,” the airline said in a statement.
Several stranded passengers shared their plight, some of whom have faced severe personal impacts. Obiekwe Ngozichukwu, a resident of Sweden, feared losing his job due to the delay, while Germany-based Charles Ifeanyi called for government intervention to prevent further mistreatment of Nigerian citizens.
NCAA’s Achimugu visited the stranded passengers on Wednesday evening, reassuring them of the authority’s commitment to their safe transportation. “We will ensure that the rights of Nigerian passengers are not violated,” he affirmed.
