In a recent development, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has instructed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to take immediate action regarding unpaid air ticket refunds for passengers affected by suspended airlines. Keyamo has set a 24-hour deadline for the NCAA to address these concerns, expressing disappointment over the difficulties passengers have faced in receiving their refunds [584d108d].
This directive comes in the wake of operational challenges faced by Dana Air, which was grounded due to financial and safety issues, and Azman Air, which suspended operations in August 2023 [584d108d]. Keyamo emphasized the importance of consumer protection and demanded that the NCAA issue a public statement by the end of Friday to clarify the refund situation for affected passengers [584d108d].
The NCAA has also warned that it may take legal action against airlines operating in restricted areas, further highlighting the regulatory challenges within Nigeria's aviation sector [584d108d]. Meanwhile, Dana Air is currently undergoing an operational audit by the NCAA, which has already led to the termination of some staff members as part of the airline's compliance efforts [72072aca]. The audit aims to ensure that Dana Air adheres to all necessary standards and regulations, especially following the suspension of its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) due to a runway incident [72072aca].
As the situation unfolds, both the government and regulatory authorities are under pressure to ensure that passenger rights are upheld and that airlines operate within the established guidelines to restore confidence in the aviation sector [584d108d].
