By Joshua Yousouph
The Director of Strategic Planning and Research at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Rotimi Babatunde Anifowoshe, has demanded N10.18 million in compensation and damages from Arik Air over the alleged cancellation of a scheduled Abuja-Lagos flight without prior notice.
According to documents obtained by our correspondent, the demand followed the cancellation of Arik Air Flight Q3 721, which was scheduled to depart Abuja for Lagos at 8:35 a.m. on May 21, 2026.
The claimant, through his legal representatives, S.I. Salami & Co., also petitioned the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, urging the aviation regulator to intervene in the matter and compel the airline to comply with compensation and refund obligations.
According to the petition, Anifowoshe purchased an economy class ticket through travel agency Tramango Limited on May 20, 2026, for N147,109 and was issued a boarding pass for Seat 21C.
The petition stated that the NSC director arrived at the airport around 7:45 a.m. on the scheduled departure date only to discover that the flight had been cancelled.
The claimant alleged that neither he nor the travel agency received prior notification of the cancellation, describing the development as a violation of provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations relating to passenger rights.
The legal representatives argued that the ticket purchase and issuance of a boarding pass constituted a binding contract of carriage between the airline and the passenger, adding that the cancellation amounted to a breach of contract and a violation of passenger protection regulations.
According to the petition, the cancellation caused the claimant to miss a business meeting scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in Lagos, resulting in financial losses estimated at N10 million, in addition to transportation costs, loss of time, and reputational damage.
The claimant is demanding N36,777.25 as statutory compensation, representing 25 per cent of the ticket fare, a refund of the N147,109 ticket cost, and N10 million as general and special damages, bringing the total claim to N10,183,886.25.
The lawyers also requested a formal written apology from the airline.
In the separate petition to the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate, the claimant urged the authority to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cancellation and ensure enforcement of applicable passenger rights provisions.
The legal team gave Arik Air seven days to respond to the demand and settle the claims, warning that failure to do so would result in legal action before the Federal High Court over alleged breach of contract, negligence, and enforcement of statutory rights.
As of the time of filing this report, Arik Air had yet to issue a public response to the allegations.
