Travel News

By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has sanctioned Kenya Airways with a N3m fine among other measures over the alleged maltreatment of Nigerian passengers.

The NCAA gave the airline a seven-day ultimatum to refund and compensate the affected passengers.

The NCAA spokesman, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the N3m fine to our correspondent on Thursday, after posting a brief note about the development on his X account the preceding day.

Prominent among the maltreatment allegations was that of a Nigerian passenger, Ms Gloria Omisore, who in January had mistakenly boarded Kenya Airways in Lagos with an agreement with the airline to take her to the United Kingdom through connecting flights arranged via France. But this was despite lacking a France transit visa.

She then endured a 17-hour layover in Nairobi. The PUNCH gathered that when she requested care due to her medical condition, she was reportedly met with poor treatment. Video footage showed airline staff verbally confronting and insulting her.

In the footage, Omisore expressed frustration over the airline’s alleged mistreatment of Nigerian travellers, including herself.

Topping the accusation against the airline was Kenya Airways’ management’s refusal to apologise to Omisore, who was reportedly maltreated by the airline staff in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Following the altercation, the authority announced a decision to sanction the airline. Providing updates in his brief, Achimugu said a sanction letter had been issued to the airline.

“Today, May 7, 2025, the NCAA has sent a letter of sanction to the operator, Kenya Airways, over the cases of Gloria Omisore and two other passengers.

“The penalties are for consumer protection-related infractions, including right to care, failure to provide full disclosure of terms of carriage, failure to respond to the Authority’s request, failure to process refund and compensation, and lost baggage.

“In addition to the fine in line with the NCAA Regulations 2023, the airline has seven days to pay the refunds and compensation of 1,000 special drawing rights to the affected passengers,” he said

Achimugu said the airline would face stiffer penalties if it fails to comply with the directive.

When our correspondent put a follow-up call across to him, Achimugu further explained that the airline was slammed with a “N3m penalty, refunds for tickets and compensation  for lost baggage to the tune of 1,000 special drawing rights.”

by Vincent Ikuomola Abuja

The British High Commission in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting legal and legitimate migration, amid speculation over possible changes to United Kingdom visa regulations.

In a statement issued to diplomatic correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday, the Commission clarified that while the UK continues to welcome lawful travellers, it remains committed to tackling visa abuse.

“We keep our immigration system under constant review to allow legal migration and legitimate travel, while deterring those who may seek to abuse it,” the statement read.

The Commission also emphasised the enduring strength of UK-Nigeria relations and pledged continued collaboration with the Nigerian government to combat irregular migration.

It advised individuals seeking further information to contact its Press and Public Affairs team, and expressed appreciation for the public’s understanding and cooperation.