The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has opened an investigation into a viral video showing Nigerian passengers arguing with Air France cabin crew during a flight, following allegations of poor treatment onboard.
The video, which has circulated widely on social media, shows passengers shouting at flight attendants, accusing them of refusing to provide drinking water and speaking to them in a disrespectful manner. The argument reportedly disrupted the flight as tempers flared among those onboard.
Although the exact date and location of the incident remain unclear, the confrontation has sparked widespread public debate and complaints against the airline. Some passengers in the footage alleged that they were treated inhumanely and denied basic comfort during the journey.
In the video, the situation worsened after a flight attendant was accused of telling a passenger to “shut up,” prompting angry reactions from others. When another crew member threatened to involve the police, several passengers responded defiantly, insisting they had done nothing wrong.
Reacting to the development, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said preliminary checks suggest that the video is not recent. He also dismissed claims circulating online that the incident happened on an Abuja-bound flight.
According to Achimugu, Air France did not operate any Abuja flights on the day many social media users claimed the incident occurred. He added that investigations are ongoing to determine when and where the confrontation actually took place, noting that it may have happened outside Nigeria.
The NCAA spokesperson revealed that the aviation authority contacted Air France’s Lagos office as part of its inquiry, and the airline denied that the incident involved any of its recent flights.
While describing the video as disturbing, Achimugu said it does not, on its own, prove wrongdoing by the airline. He explained that it would be unusual for an airline to deliberately deny passengers access to drinking water, adding that the footage appeared to show a small group of agitated passengers while others remained calm.
He also criticised the conduct seen in the video, stressing that disputes with airline staff should be handled calmly and through proper channels.
The NCAA assured the public that it would continue its investigation and release further details once more information is available.
Air France has faced similar accusations in the past. In 2025, the Federal Government threatened sanctions against the airline over claims that hundreds of Nigerian passengers were abandoned in Lomé, Togo. The airline was later ordered to transport the affected passengers to their destination.
Earlier incidents, including complaints dating back to 2019, have also accused the airline of poor treatment of Nigerian passengers. However, efforts to get Air France’s response to the latest viral video were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
