
Nigeria hits Kenya Airways with sanctions over viral clash with passenger, right breaches
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) last week issued a formal sanction letter to Kenya Airways (KQ), citing failures ranging from denial of care to mishandling of refunds and compensation.
Among the cases is that of Omisore, whose heated altercation with a KQ agent at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was filmed and circulated on social media. The Lagos-based passenger was en route to Paris via Nairobi, but was denied boarding for not having a Schengen visa — a requirement for entry into the European Union.
Kenya Airways said the passenger was instead offered an alternative route to London, which led to the altercation. The situation escalated when Omisore, visibly angry, threw used sanitary pads at the KQ agent. The footage sparked outrage online, drawing wider criticism of the airline's treatment of passengers and handling of customer service.
In a statement at the time, Kenya Airways defended its staff, saying they had followed standard immigration and transfer procedures.'The video does not reflect the full context,' the airline said, adding that the matter was referred to security agencies for investigation. KQ also stressed that it upholds mutual respect and expects both staff and passengers to behave responsibly.'While we remain committed to delivering exceptional service, we expect all interactions to be based on mutual respect,' the airline stated.'Our employees deserve to work in a safe and dignified environment, and we do not tolerate any abuse from our employees or guests.'But Nigeria's aviation regulator said the incident — and two other complaints — pointed to deeper systemic issues. NCAA director of public affairs and consumer protection Michael Achimugu said the airline breached key passenger rights.'The sanctions are for consumer protection-related offences, including denial of right to care, failure to fully disclose conditions of carriage, refusal to respond to the Authority's requests, and failure to process refunds and compensation,' Mr Achimugu wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The NCAA has ordered Kenya Airways to pay 1,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) — about $1,300 — to each affected passenger within seven days, and to implement corrective measures.'Failure to comply with the letter will result in stiffer penalties for the airline,' the NCAA said.
At the time of going to press, Kenya Airways had not responded to questions regarding the sanctions.
© Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
17-07-2025
- Zawya
Visit Qatar, Discover Qatar and Qatar Airways lead joint roadshow in Nigeria to promote leisure travel to Doha
Visit Qatar, in collaboration with Discover Qatar and Qatar Airways, hosted a strategic roadshow in Nigeria aimed at promoting leisure travel and stopover packages to Doha. The initiative brought together a total of 120 key trade partners and travel professionals through a large-scale trade engagement in Lagos, attended by over 100 guests, followed by an exclusive business networking luncheon in Abuja, which hosted 20 stakeholders. The events were designed to spotlight -state of Qatar's unique tourism offerings, support business-to-business engagement, and strengthen Qatar's positioning as a preferred leisure destination in the region. Through these activations, Visit Qatar and its partners seek to identify collaborations with tour operators and leisure travel partners while promoting awareness of Qatar's key attractions, hospitality infrastructure, and stopover products. The programme also aims to connect Nigerian travel agents with Destination Management Companies (DMCs), hotels, and other suppliers in Qatar to facilitate future collaboration. By showcasing the country's world-class experiences and accessibility through Qatar Airways' extensive network, the roadshow underscores Qatar's commitment to unlocking the travel potential of the Nigerian market and strengthening trade relationships across West Africa. About Visit Qatar Visit Qatar is the main arm of Qatar Tourism. Visit Qatar's mission is to promote and expand tourism in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, developing thrilling attractions, enhancing Qatar's calendar, becoming the leading MICE destination in the region, diversifying events and luxury experiences. Visit Qatar is rooted in Service Excellence, boosting the entire tourism value chain, and increasing local and international visitor demand in Qatar. Through Visit Qatar's network of international offices in priority markets, cutting-edge digital platforms, and marketing campaigns, Visit Qatar is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.


Zawya
04-07-2025
- Zawya
Nigeria: Keyamo commissions modern airport terminal
The Sokoto State Government has commissioned a newly reconstructed airport access road and a modern VIP terminal building at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto, as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the state as a key gateway in Nigeria's aviation and economic landscape. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his unwavering commitment to infrastructural renewal and praised the quality of leadership exhibited in the state. 'This is not my first time in Sokoto; I was here last year to commission the Hajj terminal,' Keyamo recalled. 'What I see today is clear evidence that you have a governor who knows what to do and has a bold vision for his people.' The minister emphasized that the projects align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the current administration's policies have empowered governors to exceed expectations. 'As I drove through the newly reconstructed road, I said to myself: Sokoto is fast becoming a gateway to the nation,' he stated. 'With the kind of leadership I have seen here, I am confident that this state is on solid footing.' Governor Ahmed Aliyu, while speaking at the event, revealed that the airport and its access road were in a deplorable state for several years, following an abandoned contract by the previous administration. He noted that his government re-awarded and completed the projects with a focus on quality and long-term impact. According to him, the road reconstruction and beautification were completed at a cost of ₦1,264,516,255.50, while the construction of the state-of-the-art VIP terminal building was executed at ₦1,501,116,683.48. 'We are building a new Sokoto — one that can compare not only with other cities in Nigeria but with modern cities across the world,' the governor declared. The Sokoto airport infrastructure development initiative took a further leap as Governor Aliyu announced the commencement of a new terminal project, with the foundation-laying ceremony performed by Minister Keyamo. The new terminal, he said, will feature cutting-edge equipment and meet global standards. Governor Aliyu used the occasion to express the state's firm support for President Tinubu, assuring that the people of Sokoto remain solidly behind his administration and reform efforts. The event was attended by top government officials, traditional leaders, aviation stakeholders, and members of the public, all of whom applauded the state's transformation agenda. The Sokoto airport infrastructure development stands as a model of visionary governance and federal-state collaboration, reflecting a shared commitment to modernization and economic growth. With continued investments like these, the Sokoto airport infrastructure development is expected to position the state as a vital transportation and commercial hub in Northern Nigeria.


Zawya
04-07-2025
- Zawya
Nigeria, Saint Lucia sign historic MoU to boost tourism, creative industries
Nigeria and Saint Lucia have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen partnerships in tourism, the Orange Economy, and investment in the creative industries. The agreement was formally signed on Wednesday during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's official visit to the Caribbean nation. The Nigeria-Saint Lucia cultural partnership aims to leverage Nigeria's globally celebrated creative industries—including Nollywood, Afrobeats, fashion, and storytelling—alongside Saint Lucia's world-class and community-based tourism models. The MoU promotes bilateral participation in cultural festivals, exchange programs, fashion collaborations, and museum development initiatives. It will focus on the co-development of creative economy programs, youth-centered exchanges, and the strengthening of value chains in fashion, textiles, and artisanal industries. Plans are underway for joint participation in major cultural events, including Saint Lucia's renowned Jazz Festival. In her remarks, Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the occasion as the dawn of a new era in Africa-Caribbean relations. She emphasized that the MoU offers a strategic framework to harness complementary strengths. 'Nigeria has mastered the art of creative industry and culture—from Nollywood to music to storytelling. Saint Lucia, on the other hand, has perfected the tourism model. 'This collaboration allows us to exchange expertise and co-develop our capacities in both sectors. This partnership can generate immense value for both our countries, but more importantly, it can inspire the global Black community,' Barrister Musawa stated. Saint Lucia's Minister for Tourism, Culture, and the Creative Industries, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, described the agreement as a formal reconnection of peoples separated by history but united by heritage. 'This agreement is about formally re-establishing those ancestral links. From music and dance to fashion and sports, Nigeria has been an inspiration. We have enjoyed Nigerian talent at our Jazz Festival in recent years, and this MoU gives us the opportunity to deepen that relationship.' The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy reaffirmed its commitment to fostering strategic alliances that celebrate shared heritage, promote people-to-people connections, and unlock new opportunities for cultural and economic growth across the Global South. The Nigeria-Saint Lucia cultural partnership is expected to serve as a model for transatlantic cooperation, bridging creative economies and strengthening historical bonds. With mutual commitment, the Nigeria-Saint Lucia cultural partnership could become a transformative force for global Black excellence. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (