-
Kenya Airline pays fine six months after Gloria Omisore incident
-
NCAA warns payment does not end consumer protection obligations
-
The Case emphasises Nigeria’s firm stance on passenger rights enforcement
Kenya Airways has paid the sanction imposed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) following violations of consumer rights, including the high-profile case of Nigerian passenger Gloria Omisore.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The airline settled the penalty on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, six months after the fine was announced.
The payment was confirmed by NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, who stated that the settlement followed a series of meetings involving the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, officials from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and Kenya Airways representatives.
“Kenya Airways has, on Wednesday 17/09/2025, paid the sanction fee as a penalty for the Gloria Omisore and other consumer protection-related infractions,” Achimugu said.
He added that while the NCAA commends compliance, the payment does not conclude the matter as the timeframe for resolving complaints has long elapsed.
READ ALSO: Duchess Katharine of Kent Passes Away at 92
The sanctions trace back to February 2025 when Omisore, en route to Manchester via Paris, was denied boarding at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for allegedly lacking a Schengen transit visa.
Omisore had been assured by the airline that no such visa was required. The denial left her stranded for 17 hours, followed by a 10-hour delay on an alternative London route.
During the ordeal, Omisore Kenya Airways Settles NCAA Sanction Over Passenger Rights Violation accommodation and medical assistance, which Kenya Airways declined. A confrontation ensued at the transfer desk, captured on video, in which Omisore allegedly threw used sanitary pads at airline staff.
The incident brewed public outcry in Nigeria and prompted an NCAA investigation. On May 7, 2025, the regulator imposed penalties including a N3 million fine, compensation of 1,000 Special Drawing Rights for each of three affected passengers, and a public apology.
Achimugu emphasised that NCAA sanctions are corrective, not punitive, aimed at improving flight operations and passenger-handling standards.
After months of negotiation, Kenya Airways eventually paid the prescribed penalty. The NCAA praised the airline’s compliance but warned that regulatory obligations extend beyond monetary settlement.
“The payment of sanction fines does not conclude the issues. The NCAA will follow through and is assuring both passengers and airlines of its commitment to protecting their rights and responsibilities,” Achimugu said.
The regulator highlighted Kenya Airways’ longstanding relationship with Nigeria, stressing that the case was specific and should not be seen as condemnation of the airline’s broader operations.
