The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has asserted that passengers can claim up to $1,000 for missing luggage on domestic flights, as well as 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) for international flights.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, who disclosed this during a press conference yesterday in Abuja, explained that the SDR is a monetary value that can be translated to any type of currency in the world, saying the content of the missing luggage (as declared) will determine if the passenger is entitled to compensation.
While calling on passengers to beware of making false claims about missing luggage, Achimugu said the Act stipulates that any passenger who behaves unruly can be fined between N1 million and N100 million or be sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.
He stated that the process for payment of compensation for missing baggage commences after the said luggage is declared missing after 7 to 21 days.
He also clarified that for delayed luggage on domestic flights, passengers must be paid compensation of N10,000 as a first need and $170 for international flights, even as the airline has a seven-day window to search for the luggage if on domestic flights and 21 days for international flights.
He called on passengers to take time to study Part 19 of the NCAA Act, saying it is important for people to know their rights to avoid being cheated by the airlines.
On the issue of refund of tickets for cancelled or delayed flights, Achimugu said refunds must be made immediately if paid in cash or within 14 days if by bank transfer, saying some delay might be experienced from the submission of required documents by the passenger.
He said airlines can be fined up to N5 million by the NCAA for failure to refund a passenger. While reacting to the inability of Dana Air to refund passengers, Achimugu said the airline was suspended due to a lack of financial capability to maintain the airline, saying it is understandable if they are unable to refund money for the ticket.
Achimugu disclosed that NG Eagle airline is in the process of acquiring the assets of the defunct airline, saying NCAA is trying to prevail on the airline to take on some of the liabilities as well. He said, “While it may be easy to urge them to allow the passenger to use the ticket to fly, it might not be easy for them to refund,” he said.
Achimugu, however, said the refund claims will be addressed soon.
Achimugu said since the new administration began, the NCAA has achieved a 70 per cent case resolution consistently, saying that for September, of the 100 cases that were brought to them, 75 of the cases were resolved within 10 days.