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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a strong warning to both domestic and international airlines operating in the country to strictly comply with the Montreal Convention. The Authority said defaulters who disregard the law on baggage compensation and passenger protection will face heavy sanctions.
According to the NCAA, the Montreal Convention, a 1999 global treaty, modernizes and unifies international rules on airline liability. It covers areas such as passenger injury or death, baggage and cargo loss or damage, and flight delays, ensuring consistency and fairness in air travel claims.
The NCAA emphasized that Nigeria, as a signatory to the Montreal Convention, has domesticated the treaty through the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022.
Therefore, all operators are expected to adhere strictly to its provisions when dealing with passengers and their property.
In a notification obtained NigerianFLIGHTDECK, the Authority clarified that domestic carriers can no longer rely on outdated conventions such as the Warsaw Convention or use baggage weight as a benchmark for compensation.
“Domestic operators must desist from applying the outdated Warsaw Convention or calculating compensation based on baggage weight,” the NCAA warned. “Such practices violate the Civil Aviation Act and will attract severe penalties.”
The Authority noted that the Civil Aviation Act (CAA) 2022 and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 are the ultimate legal frameworks governing aviation in Nigeria. It reiterated that strict compliance is mandatory, especially concerning passenger rights, airline liability, and safety standards.
In its statement, the NCAA also warned that non-compliant airlines will face regulatory consequences.
“Any airline that fails to apply the correct legal framework when addressing passenger or baggage issues will be heavily penalized going forward,” the statement added. “The NCAA will not tolerate any deviation from globally accepted standards set by the Montreal Convention.”
The Authority said that consistent enforcement of the Montreal Convention will help protect passengers’ rights and ensure uniform compensation policies across the industry. It further encouraged travellers to become familiar with their rights under the law.
“Passengers have a right to compensation in cases of delay, loss, or damage under the Montreal Convention. Airlines must ensure compliance at all times,” the NCAA explained.
The Montreal Convention was created to harmonize international aviation liability rules, replacing the earlier Warsaw Convention of 1929. Its key objectives are to simplify compensation procedures, promote fairness, and enhance passenger confidence in air travel worldwide.
Aviation analysts have hailed the NCAA’s move as timely, noting that consumer complaints over lost baggage and inadequate compensation have persisted for years. The regulator’s renewed stance is expected to curb such infractions and promote transparency in the aviation sector.
In addition, the NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing passenger protection laws under the CAA 2022.
The agency said continuous monitoring and enforcement will ensure that Nigerian carriers maintain global best practices and comply with the Montreal Convention’s obligations.
“The NCAA’s enforcement of the Montreal Convention is not just about compliance,” a senior official explained. “It is about fairness, justice, and global alignment. Every passenger deserves protection under the same international standard.”
Through this directive, the Authority aims to strengthen consumer confidence, promote industry accountability, and position Nigeria’s aviation sector among those upholding international benchmarks in passenger rights.
By enforcing strict adherence to the Montreal Convention, the NCAA said it will continue to promote fairness, enhance consumer protection, and foster a safer, more reliable aviation industry.
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