NCAA Fines Arik Air N6m Over Luggage Delay

By Dipo Olowookere

Arik Air has been fined N6 million by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over the issue of delay of baggage of passengers earlier this month.

The NCAA claimed the airline contravened its regulations contained in Part 19.7.2 and 19.17.2.1 (ii) of the Nig.CARs 2015 and directed the company to pay the affected passengers $150 each as compensation.

Between December 2 and 4, luggage of passengers on the London to Lagos route was delayed and this angered the affected persons.

NCAA disclosed that the N6 million fine must be paid within seven days of receipt of the letter while the $150 compensation to each of the passengers must be made within 30 days.

Speaking in a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, in Lagos on Tuesday, the aviation regulatory body noted that after it received complaints on the matter, Arik Air was invited to a meeting on December 6 which was honoured.

“However, Arik embarked on continuous flouting of the Nig.CARs and the authority’s directives to freight all backlog of short – landed baggage to Lagos within 48 hours.

“Similarly, the carrier declined to offer care and compensation to the affected passengers which were unanimously agreed for $150 toeach passenger.

“In addition, the airline did not inform the passengers at the soonest practicable time that their checked – in baggage would be off – loaded as required by Part 19.7.2 of Nig.CARs 2015,” the statement said.

The agency said it would continue to ensure sanity in maintained in the aviation industry.