The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned airlines to comply with the Montreal Convention which has been domesticated through the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022.
In particular, airlines were asked to adhere to the provisions of the Act in case of passenger injury or death, baggage and cargo loss and flight delays.
NCAA spokesman, Michael Achimugu, stated this yesterday against the backdrop of persistent passenger complaints over lost baggage.
In 2024 alone, 47,923 baggage belonging to air passengers were either missing or delayed on arrival among local and international airlines across the country’s airports.
More often than not the issue resorts in confrontation between airlines and the passengers.
“Nigeria is a signatory to the Montreal Convention, which has been domesticated through the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022.
“The Montreal Convention of 1999 was designed to modernize and unify the rules governing international air travel, especially regarding airline liability for:
“Passenger injury or death; Baggage and cargo loss or damage; and flight delays. Accordingly, all operators within Nigeria are expected to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Act, as applicable.
“In particular, domestic operators resorting to the Warsaw Convention or relying on baggage weight as the basis for compensation in baggage-related claims is a matter that must be discussed and firmly so,” Achimugu said.
The NCAA spokesman pointed out that as the apex regulatory authority, it would continue to enforce the CAA 2022 and Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 which he stated “remain sacrosanct.”
“Any airline that fails to apply the proper laws in dealing with baggage issues will be HEAVILY penalized going forward,” he said.
Under the Montreal Convention, passengers are mandated to report lost baggage immediately to the airline and file a written complaint within 21 days of the baggage’s scheduled arrival date, providing all necessary details and receipts while the airline is liable for lost or missing luggage.
