In addition to the fine, the airline has been directed to replace the passenger’s damaged baggage and pay $170 as first-need compensation.
The NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the sanction in a post on his personal X handle on Friday, saying the action was taken after the airline failed to address the passenger’s complaint in line with the regulations governing consumer protection in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The authority said the enforcement action was necessary to ensure that airlines operating in the country respond promptly to passenger complaints, particularly those involving baggage loss, damage or related disruptions.
According to the NCAA, the $170 compensation ordered against RwandAir is provided for under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which outlines compensation and other remedies available to passengers affected by baggage-related problems.
The regulator stated: “The NCAA has sanctioned Rwand Air for consumer protection-related infractions. The airline has been fined a sum of FIFTEEN MILLION NAIRA for its failure to resolve a baggage issue within the stipulated timeframe.
“In addition, Rwand Air has been asked to replace the passenger’s damaged bag and pay 170 dollars as first-need compensation as stipulated by Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.”
The latest sanction forms part of the NCAA’s broader enforcement of consumer protection standards across the Nigerian aviation sector. The authority has, at different times, taken regulatory action against both domestic and international airlines over alleged breaches of its rules.
The NCAA has stressed that airlines are expected to handle passenger complaints within prescribed timelines and provide appropriate remedies where passengers suffer inconveniences or losses covered by the regulations.
The regulator’s action against RwandAir also comes amid increased scrutiny of airlines’ compliance with passenger protection requirements, particularly the processing of complaints and refunds.
In February 2025, five airlines—Royal Air Maroc, Arik Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Aero Contractors and Air Peace—were sanctioned by the NCAA for various infractions, with penalties imposed or under consideration depending on the nature of the violations.
Barely a week before the latest enforcement action, the NCAA had also warned airlines that failure to process passenger refunds within the timeframe stipulated under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 could attract sanctions.
The authority’s latest decision therefore signals that airlines operating in Nigeria remain subject to enforcement measures when they fail to comply with consumer protection obligations.
For passengers, the NCAA’s position reinforces the requirement that complaints involving damaged baggage and other service failures should not be left unresolved beyond the timelines set by the regulator.