NCAA Orders Air Tanzania To Refund, Provide Welfare Support For Stranded Passengers

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed Air Tanzania to immediately provide comprehensive welfare support and refund options for passengers stranded in Dar es Salaam and Lagos following the airline’s failure to operate scheduled flights.

The intervention came after distressed Nigerian travellers in Dar es Salaam raised concerns, including one passenger who feared missing a visa interview scheduled for Monday.

In a statement issued on Saturday through his verified X handle, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, reminded the airline of its obligations under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. He stressed that passengers experiencing prolonged delays are entitled to hotel accommodation, meals and timely communication from the carrier.

Achimugu advised Air Tanzania to make refunds available or rebook passengers on alternative airlines if it remained unable to resume flights over the weekend. He noted that while the aviation regulator is prepared to assist the airline where necessary, compliance with consumer protection rules is not optional. “We have explained to your passengers the implications of a technical fault, and they understand that safety takes precedence. Kindly extend to them the courtesies and care they are entitled to,” he wrote.

The NCAA also urged the airline to ensure equal support for passengers stranded in Lagos for outbound travel, adding that it has established communication with affected travellers at both ends.

In a later update, Achimugu confirmed that Air Tanzania had begun providing the required assistance.

“Passengers were eventually given hotel accommodation and a meal. They have been assured by the airline that they would be flown today, even though Air Tanzania does not normally operate in Nigeria on weekends. We will continue monitoring the situation until all passengers are safely transported,” he stated.