The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to recommend the suspension of Royal Air Maroc’s operations in Nigeria over what it described as persistent poor treatment of Nigerian passengers, repeated baggage-related infractions and the airline’s alleged disregard for regulatory directives.
The warning was issued on Thursday, July 23, by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a statement shared on his official X account.
Achimugu accused the Moroccan national carrier of consistently failing to meet consumer protection standards despite being sanctioned in 2025 for similar violations.
According to him, Royal Air Maroc has remained one of the worst-performing international airlines in Nigeria regarding baggage handling, passenger care and complaint resolution.
He said, “The airline, Royal Air Maroc, has for the longest time, been the biggest culprit when it comes to baggage infractions, poor passenger handling, and extremely poor resolution processes when dealing with Nigerian passengers.”
Achimugu noted that after the airline’s consumer protection sanction last year, the NCAA had expected significant improvements but said little had changed.
He explained that passengers continue to experience delayed or missing baggage without prompt notification, while compensation and first-needs assistance are often not provided as required.
According to him, most complaints are only addressed after the NCAA intervenes.
The NCAA official also accused the airline of repeatedly ignoring invitations from the aviation regulator.
He said the airline’s Country Manager, Ahmed Boussouf, had consistently refused to attend meetings in Abuja, instead sending representatives without the authority to make decisions or resolve complaints.
Achimugu stated, “Today, one of those events occurred. In registering our displeasure over this incessant disregard for Nigerian passengers and the Authority, this country manager, Boussouf, said to me, ‘Whatever you want to do, do.'”
He described the alleged remark as unacceptable, stressing that no airline should disregard Nigeria’s aviation regulator.
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According to him, “Strict enforcement will happen against this airline and my department will push for a stoppage of Royal Air Maroc operations in Nigeria until they make a commitment to treat Nigerian passengers better.”
Achimugu maintained that the NCAA would not compromise on enforcing aviation consumer protection regulations.
He said, “I am not the kind of public servant who is afraid to lose his job for the right reasons. I will never accept this behaviour from operators.”
The director added that airlines operating international routes into Nigeria are bound by Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) and are expected to uphold internationally accepted standards of customer service.
He also argued that Nigerian travellers have alternative carriers on similar routes.
According to him, “There is nowhere RAM flies to, that people do not have alternatives in Air Algerie, Egypt Air, and Ethiopian.”
Achimugu said the NCAA would seek stiffer sanctions against the airline if its conduct does not improve.
He concluded, “My department will be taking a very firm stand over this matter, and Royal Air Maroc will stop taking for granted, the relationship Morocco has enjoyed with Nigeria and Nigerians.
“We will ensure stiffer penalties against Royal Air Maroc this time. The job we were given to do will be done without fear.”
On December 28, 2024, the aviation authority sanctioned Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Royal Air Maroc for violating Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations of 2023.
According to the NCAA, Royal Air Maroc subsequently paid the penalty imposed for the consumer protection infractions in September 2025.
As of the time of filing this report, Royal Air Maroc had not publicly responded to the NCAA’s statement.