Ethiopian Airlines has paid the sanction fee imposed by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for breaching passenger rights regulations, the authority confirmed on Monday. The action follows an enforcement drive targeting airlines that failed to comply with Nigeria’s civil aviation rules on consumer protection.
The airline was one of three international carriers fined in 2025 for infractions under Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, which cover issues such as delayed refunds, mishandled baggage, and non-compliance with regulatory directives. The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the payment demonstrates “full compliance” with the corrective measures, according to a report by Vanguard.
The NCAA clarified that the sanctions are corrective rather than punitive, aimed at improving service quality and safeguarding passenger rights. “Our objective is to ensure airlines operating in Nigeria adhere to the established consumer protection standards,” Achimugu stated.
Industry observers view the move as a positive step toward stronger aviation governance in Nigeria. While Ethiopian Airlines’ compliance may help restore confidence among passengers, the development highlights the increasing regulatory scrutiny faced by foreign airlines in the Nigerian aviation market.
