Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to establish mobile courts at airports across the country to address the issue of unruly passengers.

This initiative aims to curb incidents of passengers attacking airline and airport staff or disrupting airport services due to flight delays and cancellations.

The decision was made following a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, where representatives from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) discussed the rising cases of passenger misconduct.

The meeting also addressed extending operational hours at sunset airports to 10:00 p.m. to mitigate flight disruptions.

NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, emphasized the need for sensitization campaigns against unruly passenger behavior and the deployment of Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials to de-escalate aggression professionally.

The mobile courts will ensure that offenders are prosecuted and held accountable for their actions, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining decorum within Nigeria’s aviation industry

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken enforcement action against five airlines—two international and three domestic operators—for violations of Part 19 of NCAA Regulations 2023.

These breaches include failing to refund passengers within the stipulated timeframe, disregarding directives from the authority, mishandling luggage, issues with short-landed baggage, and problems related to flight delays and cancellations.

Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, confirmed the development on Tuesday but declined to disclose the names of the sanctioned airlines.

Achimugu explained that while airlines are not always at fault for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations mandate specific actions they must undertake during such instances. Failure to comply with these directives results in penalties of varying severity.

Achimugu highlighted an uptick in passenger complaints about delays and cancellations, particularly during the festive season, with some disruptions attributed to harmattan-induced poor visibility.

“We all know that this is harmattan season, so there is poor visibility. Flights must get cancelled. This is force majeure, and the airlines do not owe passengers anything in those instances.

“The enforcement we are initiating today is on cases where the airline is deemed to have been at fault. More will come,” he said.

The NCAA plans to summon the chief executive officers (CEOs) of all airlines this week for a meeting to address flight disruptions and regulatory breaches.

Earlier, on December 10, the NCAA announced its intent to sanction airlines for delayed ticket refunds. Under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, airlines are required to strictly adhere to refund timelines to protect passenger rights. Refunds for cash purchases must be made immediately and in cash, while electronic payments, including mobile apps and internet banking, must be refunded within 14 days.

NerdzFactory Foundation in collaboration with the Access Bank, has trained over 518 youths in digital skills. The two weeks virtual training, Youth Transition Program (YTP) 5.0, was meant to equip the youths for employment and digital skills and prepare them to excel in the competitive job market and unlock new economic opportunities.

Director of NerdzFactory Foundation, Ade Olowojoba, said the significance of the programme reflects the foundation’s mission to empower a new generation of leaders with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and digital global economy.

“Through initiatives like this, we are fostering innovation, resilience, and economic independence among young Nigerians,” he stated.

He disclosed that the programme succeeded in reaching its objectives.  According to him, participants reported increased readiness for the workforce, improved digital skills, and enhanced entrepreneurial capabilities, which have positioned them to secure quality employment and launch their ventures. The programme has demonstrated the transformative impact of focused skill-building initiatives.

“NerdzFactory Foundation and Access Bank reaffirm their commitment to expand the reach of the Youth Transition Programme to empower more young Nigerians with the tools they need to achieve lasting success and contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable economic development,” he said.

The director noted that the programme launched in response to Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, delivered comprehensive training to empower participants with practical job search skills, digital marketing expertise, and knowledge of leveraging digital platforms for economic growth.

During the programme, some of the sessions included webinars and a virtual bootcamp designed to help participants develop workplace skills such as CV writing, LinkedIn optimisation, and effective use of digital workspace tools.

“By fostering economic independence and resilience, YTP 5.0 aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, on quality education and Goal 8, on decent work and economic growth,” he stated.