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Crime/Social Justice
Air peace defies NCAA's regulations, refuses to refund passengers air fares
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
14 May 2025 10:32 AM
Benin, Edo – In defiance of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations, the management of Air Peace has refused to refund air fares to passengers 21 days after it cancelled their flight from Lagos to Benin.
The passengers, Ayatu Maliki and Khadija Maliki had paid N402,200.00 in April 09, 2025 for the Air peace flight ticket scheduled for 7:AM on April 23, 2025, but was rescheduled to 2:25PM the same day, before its cancellation following strike by staff of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) that caused temporary suspension of the airline operations.
However, the now called off strike forced the passengers to demand for a refund of the ticket amount from Lagos to Benin, as they had already traveled to Lagos from Benin before the industrial action that disrupted their flight.
The passengers who took alternative transportation back to Benin are yet to receive a refund for the amount for their return ticket from Lagos to Benin, a clear violation of NCAA Regulations 2023 which states that refunds to air passengers tickets purchased must be refunded within 14 days.
According to the passengers, after several complaints to Air peace and NCAA, the Air line only reached out on May 13, 2025 to request for their email which was provided through a Direct Message (DM) to Air peace X account.
BENDEL Mirror recall that some Air peace passengers have over the years expressed frustration over persistent flight delays, cancellations, as well as reluctance to refund air fares.
The NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu had earlier noted that while most airlines have been responsive, others have refused to comply with regulations on passengers’ rights, saying that airlines that fail to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of 14 days will attract immediate sanction.
The passengers, Ayatu Maliki and Khadija Maliki had paid N402,200.00 in April 09, 2025 for the Air peace flight ticket scheduled for 7:AM on April 23, 2025, but was rescheduled to 2:25PM the same day, before its cancellation following strike by staff of Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) that caused temporary suspension of the airline operations.
However, the now called off strike forced the passengers to demand for a refund of the ticket amount from Lagos to Benin, as they had already traveled to Lagos from Benin before the industrial action that disrupted their flight.
The passengers who took alternative transportation back to Benin are yet to receive a refund for the amount for their return ticket from Lagos to Benin, a clear violation of NCAA Regulations 2023 which states that refunds to air passengers tickets purchased must be refunded within 14 days.
According to the passengers, after several complaints to Air peace and NCAA, the Air line only reached out on May 13, 2025 to request for their email which was provided through a Direct Message (DM) to Air peace X account.
BENDEL Mirror recall that some Air peace passengers have over the years expressed frustration over persistent flight delays, cancellations, as well as reluctance to refund air fares.
The NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu had earlier noted that while most airlines have been responsive, others have refused to comply with regulations on passengers’ rights, saying that airlines that fail to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of 14 days will attract immediate sanction.
Comments
Stephen Joe Esu
Same here. Flight was cancelled Abuja to Benin because of NIMET strike. Up till today I kept getting emails that the refund is in progress. As of today May 15 makes it 21 calendar days and no fund yet
15 May 2025 05:59 PM