Why was Ethiopian Airlines fined N7million ($18,421) by the Nigerian Federal High Court ?

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Lagos Fined Ethiopian Airlines N7m For Cancelling Flights Without Notice.

Court awarded a fine amount of N6 million as general damages against Ethiopian Airlines Ltd. for cancelling three Nigerians’ flights without due notice to the plaintiffs.

In addition to that, Justice Adekunle Faji also awarded another sum of N1 million as the cost of the suit.

Justice Faji ruled that the Ethiopian was bound to give notice of the flight cancellation to the plaintiffs and having not shown proof of such notice, its action was in breach of the contract of carriage.

The sums were awarded in favour of the plaintiffs for the hardships, stress, & inconvenience caused them by the airline’s cancellation of their flights without notice.

In the suit filed on April 27, 2018, the plaintiffs sought among other things, a declaration that the airline contravened the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Regulations, 2015.

This court decision has established the principle that the cancellation of flights by airlines without due notice to the passenger is a liability to the airline.