NCAA Confirms Air France Water Protest Video Is Old, Investigation Underway

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has addressed a viral social media video. This video showed a heated Air France water protest video onboard an aircraft. The NCAA confirmed the footage is old and not recent. It has no link to any current Abuja-bound flights.

Michael Achimugu is the NCAA Director of Public Affairs. He stated that preliminary findings support this conclusion. The regulator's consumer protection officers verified the flight schedule. Air France did not operate an Abuja flight on the suggested day.

Investigation Details and Airline Denial

The viral footage shows passengers arguing loudly with cabin crew. They complained about being denied drinking water. A flight attendant was also captured shouting at passengers. The NCAA is actively investigating the incident's exact details. This includes determining the time and location of the event. Officials suspect the incident may have occurred outside Nigeria. It might have happened on a flight diverted to Lomé.

As part of its verification, the NCAA contacted Air France. The airline's Lagos station denied any recent involvement. Achimugu noted the disturbing footage alone does not prove airline wrongdoing. He stressed that deliberately refusing water is highly unlikely.

Focus on Unruly Passenger Behavior

The NCAA clarifies viral video context regarding passenger conduct. The regulator's spokesperson suggested the video shows unruly passenger behavior. He noted that only a small group of passengers was involved. The majority of travelers remained seated and calm.

Aviation consumer protection and safety are key priorities. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has strict rules on passenger conduct. The Civil Aviation Act 2022 addresses passenger misconduct severity. Recent NCAA directives aim to curb disruptive incidents. These rules prohibit pilots from departing with disruptive passengers. This policy is meant to protect cabin crew members.

Global Standards for Water Provision

While the video focuses on water, industry standards are clear. Airlines must ensure the safety of onboard water systems. Organizations like IATA manage water quality audits. The IATA Drinking-Water Quality Pool (IDQP) ensures potable water. This is measured against World Health Organization standards. The NCAA's position reflects the standard practice. Airlines are expected to provide access to drinking water. The investigation continues to seek full clarity. Updates will be provided once more information is gathered.

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