The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced it will take stringent action against airlines responsible for delayed passenger luggage. Starting with immediate effect, the NCAA will impose fines of $170 for international airlines and N10,000 for domestic carriers for luggage delays.

The announcement follows a statement made by the NCAA in October in Abuja, where it clarified that passengers whose luggage is delayed on domestic flights can claim up to N10,000, while those on international flights can receive up to $1,000 or 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) as compensation.

During a roadshow at the Lagos airport on Monday, aimed at educating passengers ahead of the holiday season, Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, reiterated the agency’s commitment to enforcing these new penalties. He acknowledged that many passengers were previously unaware of their rights, which had led to frequent violations by airlines.

“For too long, passengers in Nigeria have not known their rights, which allowed airlines to overlook their responsibilities,” Achimugu stated. “Through initiatives like this roadshow, we’re working to ensure Nigerians are fully informed of the NCAA regulations and know where to turn for help.”

Achimugu emphasized that passengers who find themselves without their luggage can now demand compensation from airlines—N10,000 for domestic flights and $170 for international flights. He noted that many passengers were unaware of these entitlements, and the roadshow aims to close that gap.

In addition to the awareness campaign, Achimugu pointed to the NCAA’s newly launched website, which has made it easier for passengers to file complaints. He also highlighted that the portal had led to a noticeable increase in passenger complaints, holding airlines accountable for service lapses.

The roadshow, which began in Lagos, will also be held at airports in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, an NCAA report revealed that Air France had the highest number of delayed baggage cases among international airlines flying into Nigeria, with 2,075 incidents. Other airlines with significant baggage delays included KLM (1,938 cases), Egypt Air (1,850), and Royal Air Maroc (1,745). In total, 19,274 instances of delayed or missing luggage were reported across all airlines—both domestic and international—in the first half of 2024.