Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all domestic airlines to immediatelyadd a mandatory special needs or assistance request option to their flight ticket booking systems.
Gatekeepers News reports that the regulation is to ensure better support for passengers with disabilities and Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM).
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Michael Achimugu on behalf of the Director-General of Civil Aviation, the regulator said airlines must integrate the feature into their reservation platforms within seven days of receiving this directive.
According to the NCAA, the amendment builds on previous instructions first sent to carriers in April 2022 (Reference No. NCAA/CPD/585/1/22), but the latest order restates the obligation to ensure full compliance with passenger rights and safety standards.
The directive, grounded in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs 2023, Part 19.12.3.1), requires airlines, travel agents, and tour operators to provide travellers with the opportunity to request assistance at the point of booking through all sales channels, including online portals and telephone reservations.
It also mandates that ticket platforms include a clearly visible field for passengers or their assistants to request special needs support and that airlines actively inquire whether any passenger in a booking party requires assistance at the airport or during flight operations.
The NCAA explained that advance notification through the booking process will help airlines and airport operators plan appropriate support services, improving accessibility and safety for vulnerable travellers.
Airlines that fail to comply with the seven-day deadline risk enforcement actions under existing aviation regulations, as the regulator emphasised its commitment to inclusive, accessible, and dignified air travel for all passengers.
This directive aligns Nigeria’s regulatory environment more closely with international best practices that call for proactive identification of passengers’ special needs at the earliest point in the travel experience.
