ABUJA, Nigeria
Following a high-profile case involving Nigerian traveler, Gloria Omisore. Kenya Airways has paid a sanction fee to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for violating passenger rights. The airline made the payment Wednesday following a series of meetings with Nigerian and Kenyan officials.
The fine was confirmed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, in a post on his official X account. Achimugu noted that while the payment has been made, it does not conclude the matter, as the initial timeframe for resolving the issues has already passed.
The sanction, as it would be recalled, stems from a public dispute in February, when Nigerian passenger Gloria Omisore accused Kenya Airways of mishandling her during a disrupted trip. Omisore was reportedly denied boarding on a connecting flight from Nairobi to Paris due to a missing Schengen transit visa, a requirement she claimed the airline had previously assured her was not necessary.
According the reports, the situation led to about a 17-hour layover, which was said to have been extended by a 10-hour delay for an alternative route. In what appeared to be a long wait, Omisore’s request for accommodation was denied by the airline, which argued that its policies do not cover visa-related denied boardings. A heated confrontation ensued, which was captured on video, where Omisore allegedly threw used sanitary pads at airline staff.
Following an investigation, the NCAA found Kenya Airways culpable, blaming the airline for breaching consumer protection regulations and misleading the public. On May 7, 2025, the aviation authority sanctioned the airline, ordering it to compensate three affected passengers, including Omisore, with 1,000 Special Drawing Rights each and issue a public apology.
The NCAA stressed that these sanctions are not punitive but are designed to strengthen airlines’ compliance with safety and passenger-handling standards. The aviation body stated it will continue to enforce regulations to ensure all airlines operating in Nigeria adhere to international aviation standards and protect passenger rights.
