The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding a protest by Nigerian passengers onboard an Air France flight, after a video surfaced online showing a heated confrontation with airline staff over alleged poor in‑flight service.
The footage, widely shared on social media, captured passengers shouting at attendants, accusing them of denying water and speaking disrespectfully.
The altercation reportedly disrupted the flight, though the exact time and location remain unclear.
In the video, one attendant allegedly told a passenger to “shut up,” sparking outrage. A female staff member later threatened to call the police, prompting passengers to respond: “Let them call police, we are not scared of police.”
Others complained they had not been offered water. “This is not normal. Why can’t you give us water to drink?” one woman shouted. Another accused the airline of treating Nigerians without dignity.
NCAA’s Position
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, told Sunday PUNCH that preliminary findings suggest the video is not recent and not linked to any Abuja flight.
“That video is old, not recent. Air France did not even operate any Abuja flights yesterday,” he said.
Achimugu added that the incident may have occurred outside Nigeria, possibly during a diversion to Lomé, Togo. He stressed that the footage alone does not prove wrongdoing by the airline.
“The video itself does not provide evidence against the airline. What it shows is unruly passengers. Even on domestic airlines, it’s not possible that you will ask for water and they won’t give you,” he explained.
He noted that only a small group of passengers appeared disorderly, while the majority remained calm.
Past Complaints Against Air France
This is not the first time Air France has faced criticism from Nigerian passengers.
- In 2025, the Federal Government threatened sanctions after 300 Nigerians were stranded at Lomé airport.
- In 2020, a passenger petitioned the then Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over alleged maltreatment on an Abuja‑bound flight.
- In 2019, passengers on flight AF878 from Paris to Abuja reported an unannounced detour to Chad, missing luggage, and suspected theft.
More recently, passenger Nwodo Fidelis accused Air France staff of repeated disrespectful conduct in a Facebook post, citing inadequate intervention by airport officials in Abuja.
Achimugu assured the public that NCAA will continue investigating and provide updates once details are confirmed. Efforts to obtain Air France’s response to the viral video were unsuccessful as calls to its Lagos station went unanswered.
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