British Airways on Friday denied boarding to 58 passengers scheduled to travel from Abuja to London after a technical fault was detected on one of the aircraft doors.
The Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident in a statement on his official X handle, describing it as a mandatory safety measure.
“They had to deny 58 passengers boarding this morning due to a faulty door,” Achimugu wrote. “Hotel accommodation has been provided, and 28 passengers opted to return home while 30 accepted the offer. Affected passengers can file for compensation, and arrangements are in place to airlift them tomorrow morning.”
Achimugu further urged travellers to seek immediate assistance from NCAA Consumer Protection Officers stationed at airport terminals during delays or disruptions, assuring that the agency would ensure passengers’ rights to care and compensation are upheld.
While the measure complied with international aviation safety standards, the incident triggered a wave of online criticism over the state of some aircraft deployed on Nigerian routes.
“Not nice at all despite the huge amount of money that they charge,” wrote one user, @NewDawnNaija23, calling on NCAA to investigate the quality and maintenance of aircraft foreign carriers operate into Nigeria.
The incident highlights ongoing passenger concerns over the safety, comfort, and service standards of international flights in and out of the country—issues that regulators say they are monitoring more closely.
