The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has fined Qatar Airways ₦5 million for consumer protection violations linked to the treatment of a Nigerian passenger. The regulator’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, announced the sanction on Wednesday.
The incident began when a Qatar Airways cabin crew member accused the passenger of sexual harassment during boarding in Lagos for a flight to the United States via Doha. The allegation was reported only on arrival in Doha, where the passenger was arrested, detained for 18 hours, fined, and made to sign a document written only in Arabic. The airline also refused to allow him to continue his journey, forcing him to buy another ticket.
Mr Achimugu said the NCAA invited Qatar Airways’ country manager to a meeting over the matter, but he failed to attend, sending subordinates instead. He warned that the airline may face additional sanctions if it does not respond satisfactorily to other letters of investigation already issued.
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The NCAA noted that Qatar Airways has previously been accused of mistreating Nigerian passengers and violating Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. The regulator said it will not tolerate any airline disregarding Nigerian consumer protection laws or providing false information to authorities.
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