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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

NCAA threatens Royal Air Maroc with suspension over passenger rights violations

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Nigeria's Civil Aviation Authority threatened to suspend Royal Air Maroc over consumer rights violations.
  • The NCAA cited persistent baggage issues, poor passenger handling, and slow complaint resolution by the airline.
  • The authority warned that the airline's operations in Nigeria could be halted if improvements are not made.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to Royal Air Maroc, threatening to suspend its operations in Nigeria due to persistent violations of consumer protection regulations. The NCAA cited the airline's alleged poor treatment of Nigerian passengers and repeated failures to address issues, particularly concerning baggage.

The airline, Royal Air Maroc, has for the longest time been the biggest culprit when it comes to baggage infractions, poor passenger handling, and extremely poor resolution processes when dealing with Nigerian passengers.

— Michael AchimuguNCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, explaining the airline's repeated violations.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, stated on X that Royal Air Maroc has been the primary offender regarding baggage infractions, inadequate passenger handling, and extremely slow complaint resolution processes. He accused the airline of failing to promptly notify passengers about delayed baggage and often only resolving complaints after NCAA intervention.

Royal Air Maroc’s country manager, Ahmed Boussouf, will sit in Lagos and refuse to attend meetings in Abuja.

— Michael AchimuguDescribing the alleged non-compliance of the airline's country manager.

Achimugu further alleged that Royal Air Maroc's Country Manager, Ahmed Boussouf, has repeatedly ignored invitations to regulatory meetings. He recounted an incident where Boussouf allegedly responded dismissively to the NCAA, saying, "Whatever you want to do, do." The NCAA official emphasized that such disregard for Nigerian passengers and the authority will not be tolerated.

Whatever you want to do, do.

— Ahmed BoussoufThe alleged dismissive response from Royal Air Maroc's country manager to the NCAA.

The NCAA plans to recommend the suspension of Royal Air Maroc's operations until the airline demonstrates a commitment to complying with Nigerian aviation regulations and improving its passenger services. Achimugu vowed to ensure stiffer penalties against the airline, stating that Royal Air Maroc will no longer take for granted the positive relationship between Morocco and Nigeria.

Strict enforcement will happen against this airline and my department will push for a stoppage of Royal Air Maroc operations in Nigeria until they make a commitment to treat Nigerian passengers better.

— Michael AchimuguStating the NCAA's intention to halt the airline's operations if improvements are not made.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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