The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has ordered Ethiopian Airlines to stop forthwith the illegal collection of unauthorised charges known as ‘Refundable Deportation Fee’ from Nigerians.
According to a statement by the General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, the unauthorised charges range from $75 to $150 per passenger.
Adurogboye said that all South Africa-bound passengers on Ethiopian Airlines are compelled to pay the amount before boarding.
NCAA began investigating the illegal charges following several complaints from many passengers that have suffered the fate.
He informed that NCAA’s investigation showed that all outbound passengers to South Africa from the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, transiting through Addis Ababa, were liable to pay $75 dollars.
He added the regulatory body’s investigation also revealed that if a passenger’s transiting time was 24 hours or beyond, the passenger was compelled to pay $150.
Aduroboye noted that while passengers were not given prior notice concerning the charges before arriving at the airports, some were made to sign undertaken to be responsible for all expenses incurred if deported.
He stated that consequent upon this, the Ethiopian Airlines’ Country management was summoned by NCAA, where they claimed the fees were always refunded when a passenger was not deported.
Adurogboye said, “The regulatory authority found these unauthorised charges unacceptable and viewed it as a violation of the NCAA’s extant regulations. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) Part 18.4.1(iii) stipulates that all air carriers should obtain approval from the Authority to introduce or increase add-on charges or surcharges prior to implementation.
“Till date, the authority has not received any request for fare increase, tariff or add-ons from the airline. On this strength, Ethiopian Airlines has been ordered to stop with immediate effect these illegal charges. The Airline could take advantage of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CAR) and obtain necessary approvals from the Authority if it has genuine grounds to increase fares or obtain tariffs.”
The NCAA further warned airlines operating in the country to endeavour to adhere strictly to the regulations in all facets of their operations.
He added that it is the authority’s statutory responsibilities to protect the rights of passengers and that this it shall continue to do in accordance with the law
