The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a N15 million fine on RwandAir for failing to resolve a passenger's baggage complaint within the timeframe required by Nigerian aviation regulations. The penalty was announced on Friday, September 11, 2026, by Michael Achimugu, NCAA's director of public affairs and consumer protection, via a post on X.
NCAA Orders Bag Replacement and First-Need Compensation
Beyond the financial penalty, the NCAA directed RwandAir to replace the passenger's damaged bag and pay $170 as first-need compensation. Both requirements are mandated under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which governs consumer protection in the aviation sector.
Achimugu stated: "The NCAA has sanctioned RwandAir for consumer protection-related infractions. The airline has been fined a sum of FIFTEEN MILLION NAIRA for its failure to resolve a baggage issue within stipulated timeframe."
Part of a Broader Enforcement Crackdown on Airlines
The RwandAir sanction is part of a sustained enforcement push by the NCAA. In December 2024, the authority penalised five carriers — Air Peace, Ethiopian Airlines, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Royal Air Maroc — for breaching the same Part 19 regulations. Those violations covered a range of issues, including failure to refund passengers on time, non-responsiveness to NCAA directives, missing and mishandled luggage, short-landed baggage, and problems related to flight delays and cancellations.
The NCAA also previously sanctioned Saudi Airlines with a N6 million penalty for consumer protection violations, citing the carrier's failure to resolve pending passenger complaints and comply with the authority's rulings even after receiving extra time to do so.
Warning of Continued Penalties for Non-Compliant Airlines
On February 11, 2025, the aviation authority warned that more airlines would face penalties if they continued to disregard consumer protection rules, signalling that the ongoing enforcement exercise would not be limited to a single wave of sanctions. This latest action against RwandAir underscores the NCAA's commitment to enforcing compliance across the industry.
