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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) yesterday sanctioned Arik Air Limited for contravening the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
Earlier, the Authority was inundated with complaints of delay and inability to ferry the passengers’ checked – in luggage on the Airline’s services from London –Lagos from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th December, 2016.
BusinessDay’s checks show that upon receipt of the complaints, NCAA invited the airline to a meeting on the 6th of December, 2016, which was duly attended by the airlines’ representative.
However, according to NCAA, 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 One Hundred and fifty United States dollars.
“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 the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs),2015,” Sam Adurogboye, general manager, Public Relations, NCAA said.
As a result, the authority has said that in violation Part 19.7.2 and 19.17.2.1 (ii) of the Nig.CARs, 2015, Arik Air Limited will pay to the Authority within Seven (7) days of receipt of its letter, the sum of N6,000,000.00 (Six Million naira only) as civil penalty for violation of Part.19.7.2 of the Nig.CARs, 2015.
The authority also directed Arik Air ito pay each affected passenger, within 30 days of the date of its letter, the sum of One Hundred and Fifty thousand US dollars ($150) as compensation for inconveniences suffered as a result of delayed arrival of their luggage on your service as required by Part.19.17.2.1 (ii) of the Nig.CARs,2015.
The authority said that the penalty is to assure all stakeholders that the Authority exist to protect their rights at all times and as such any violation of the Regulation in that regard will be viewed seriously.
