The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has made it clear that airlines will face penalties if they fail to refund passengers for their tickets on time. This announcement was made by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

The NCAA has emphasized the importance of adhering to the ticket refund timelines, which are part of the regulations designed to protect passengers’ rights. Achimugu explained that airlines must comply with these rules, or they will face immediate penalties under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.

One recent case involved Air Peace, which exceeded the refund deadline. This non-compliance led the NCAA to take action, urging the airline to make swift refunds to affected passengers.

Achimugu further clarified that passengers who pay with cash should be refunded right away. For payments made through mobile apps or online banking, airlines must process refunds within 14 days.

Over the past year, the NCAA has worked closely with airlines to improve customer service and resolve operational challenges. This cooperation has led to improvements, benefiting passengers. However, Achimugu stressed that the leniency shown in the past is now over. Airlines that fail to meet the refund deadlines will face stricter enforcement measures and penalties.

Passengers can expect more consistent and timely refunds as the NCAA strengthens its efforts to protect their rights and hold airlines accountable for delays.