By Jato Ann Mathew | January 25, 2026
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched a probe into a viral video showing a heated confrontation between Nigerian passengers and cabin crew aboard an Air France flight, sparking concerns over in-flight service standards.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media, captures visibly agitated passengers clashing with airline staff over denied drinking water and alleged disrespectful treatment. Although the exact date, route, and location of the incident remain unclear, the altercation reportedly caused significant onboard disturbance, with passengers decrying “inhumane treatment” by the airline.
In the video, passengers accuse flight attendants of refusing water and verbal abuse, with tensions escalating after a staff member allegedly told a passenger to “shut up”. A female attendant’s threat to call police only fueled the fire.
Reacting to the footage, NCAA’s Michael Achimugu revealed preliminary checks suggest the video isn’t recent, contrary to online claims. “That video is old, not recent,” Achimugu said, noting investigations are ongoing to determine the incident’s actual route and timeline.
The NCAA has contacted Air France’s Lagos station, but the airline denied involvement in any recent altercation. Achimugu cautioned against jumping to conclusions, emphasizing the need for verified evidence.
This incident adds to Air France’s history of complaints with Nigerian passengers, including a 2025 incident where the Federal Government threatened sanctions over alleged mistreatment of stranded passengers in Togo.
