The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened stricter enforcement measures against Royal Air Maroc, including pushing for the suspension of the airline’s operations in Nigeria, over what it described as persistent violations of passengers’ rights and poor compliance with regulatory directives.
On his X account, the Authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, accused the Moroccan carrier of repeatedly failing to improve its handling of baggage complaints, passenger care and complaint resolution despite being sanctioned for consumer protection-related infractions in 2025.
Achimugu said the airline had remained the “biggest culprit” in baggage infractions, poor passenger handling and weak complaint resolution processes involving Nigerian passengers.
He alleged that while the NCAA had continued to support airlines operating in the country, Royal Air Maroc had shown little improvement, with delayed baggage, inconsistent provision of first-needs assistance to affected passengers and complaints often resolved only after the Authority intervened.
The NCAA spokesman also criticised the airline’s alleged failure to honour invitations from the regulator, describing the attitude as unacceptable.
According to him, Royal Air Maroc’s Country Manager, Ahmed Boussouf, has repeatedly failed to attend meetings convened by the Authority in Abuja, instead sending a representative without the authority to resolve complaints or make commitments on behalf of the airline.
Achimugu further alleged that during a recent engagement, the country manager dismissed the Authority’s concerns by telling him, “Whatever you want to do, do.”
He said such conduct amounted to a disregard for both Nigerian passengers and the country’s aviation regulator.
Achimugu maintained that the NCAA, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo , and the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, would not tolerate what he described as continued non-compliance and disregard for regulatory authority.
He added that the Consumer Protection Department would take a firm position on the matter to ensure that Royal Air Maroc complies with Nigerian aviation regulations and improves its treatment of passengers.
“Strict enforcement will happen against this airline and my department will push for a stoppage of Royal Air Maroc operations in Nigeria until they make a commitment to treat Nigerian passengers better.We will ensure stiffer penalties against Royal Air Maroc this time. The job we were given to do will be done without fear.
“The passengers whose cases have been delayed, quite unfairly and unnecessarily, are paying, loyal customers. International airlines have bilateral service agreements (BASA) to honour, as well as the obligation of simple service to passengers.
“Whatever gains we make in this industry, we will continue to fail if the rights and responsibilities of all stakeholders are treated as an afterthought. We must be intentional and systematic, adhering to world-class standards.”, he said.
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