By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has given domestic airlines a seven-day ultimatum to integrate a mandatory special needs assistance option on their ticket reservation platforms.
The move aimed at improving access for passengers living with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility was issued in a directive on Friday, 30 January, 2026, in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu.
He explained that airlines are required to allow passengers to request assistance at the point of booking across all ticket sales channels, including online platforms and telephone reservations.
According to Achimugu, the order reinforces the authority’s long-standing position on passenger accessibility.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has reiterated its directive to all domestic airlines operating in Nigeria to ensure full compliance with provisions for Persons with Reduced Mobility and passengers with disabilities by incorporating a mandatory Special Needs/Assistance request feature on their ticket reservation systems,” he said.
He recalled that a similar directive was issued in April 2022, mandating airlines to “conspicuously place a designated field, box, or column on their booking platforms” to enable passengers to give advance notice of special needs before purchasing tickets.
However, the NCAA noted that compliance has remained uneven, prompting renewed enforcement.
In addition, the authority said the requirement is anchored in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, Part 19.12.3.1, which obliges airlines, travel agents and tour operators to make adequate provisions for passengers who may require assistance during airport and in-flight operations.
Under the regulations, operators must include a clearly identifiable section on ticket portals through which persons with disabilities or their assistants can request special needs assistance while booking. They are also required to actively enquire if any passenger within a booking party may need such support.
“In view of the foregoing, the NCAA has directed all affected airlines to conspicuously integrate a mandatory special needs assistance request option into their ticket reservation systems, ensuring that passengers are able to request such assistance before completing the ticket purchase process,” Achimugu stated.
Meanwhile, the regulator warned that failure to comply within the seven-day window would attract regulatory enforcement in line with applicable aviation regulations, stressing that the directive forms part of its broader consumer protection and inclusivity mandate.
