The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has given home airways seven days to combine a compulsory particular wants help possibility into their ticket reserving programs.
The regulator made the announcement on Friday, January 30, 2026, in a press release signed by Michael Achimugu on behalf of the Director-Basic of NCAA.
The characteristic is designed to help passengers with disabilities and individuals with diminished mobility, permitting them to request help earlier than finishing ticket purchases quite than ready till they arrive on the airport.
What NCAA is saying
In response to the assertion, all home airways have seven days from receipt of the directive on January 30, 2026, to combine a compulsory particular wants help possibility into their ticket reserving programs.
The NCAA warned that failure to conform may appeal to regulatory enforcement actions beneath relevant aviation laws.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reiterated its directive to all home airways working in Nigeria to make sure full compliance with provisions for Individuals with Decreased Mobility (PRM) and passengers with disabilities by incorporating a compulsory Particular Wants/Help request characteristic on their ticket reservation programs,” the assertion learn partially.
It added, “Airways are required to comply inside seven (7) days of receipt of this directive. Non-compliance could appeal to regulatory enforcement consistent with relevant aviation laws.”
Further particulars
The NCAA additional famous that the directive reinforces provisions for individuals with diminished mobility (PRM) and passengers with disabilities, requiring airways to incorporate a particular wants or help request characteristic of their reservation programs.
- The Authority additionally pressured that operators should actively enquire whether or not any passenger inside a reserving celebration requires help on the airport or throughout flight operations.
- Below these guidelines, all affected airways are anticipated to make sure passengers can request help earlier than buying tickets.
That is consistent with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Rules 2023, Half 19.12.3.1, which mandates that vacationers have the chance to request help throughout all ticket gross sales channels, together with on-line platforms and phone bookings.
Why this issues
The NCAA’s directive to combine a compulsory particular wants help possibility on airline reserving platforms is a key step towards making air journey extra accessible for passengers with disabilities and individuals with diminished mobility (PRM).
- This characteristic permits travellers to request help earlier than arriving at airports, lowering delays and limitations that might in any other case make journey troublesome.
By implementing the rule, the NCAA goals to reinforce security, comfort, and independence for passengers who’ve traditionally confronted challenges navigating air transport.
What you need to know
Folks Dwelling With Disabilities (PLWDs) are people who expertise long-term bodily, psychological, mental, or sensory impairments that, when interacting with societal or environmental limitations, could restrict their full participation in each day life.
- PLWDs typically face stigma and discrimination, which may result in social exclusion and limit entry to schooling, healthcare, employment, and transportation.
- Bodily environments, public transport programs, and digital platforms are continuously not designed to be accessible, limiting independence and alternatives for social and financial inclusion.
In Lagos State, efforts have been introduced in April 2025 by the Lagos State Quantity Plate Manufacturing Authority (LSNPPA) to introduce specifically designed quantity plates to establish and help PLWDs.
Nonetheless, there have been no updates on the progress of this initiative as of January 2026.
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