Luftscamsa - Federal High Court Orders Lufthansa to Pay Damages for Passenger Abandonment

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered Lufthansa German Airlines to pay $20,000 and ₦15 million in damages to a passenger. Justice Phoebe Ayua delivered the judgment on January 20, 2026. The court found the carrier liable for breach of contract and negligence. The case originated from a July 2025 incident involving a scheduled flight from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to Frankfurt. Mr. Tochukwu Onwugbufor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, filed the lawsuit after the airline failed to transport him to his destination. Lufthansa representatives argued that a shortened runway at the Abuja airport necessitated the removal of passengers and baggage for safety reasons. The airline claimed that ongoing maintenance work on the runway limited the maximum takeoff weight of the aircraft. Officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria provided testimony that contradicted these claims. The court heard that other international carriers continued to operate wide-body aircraft from the same runway during the maintenance period. British Airways and Qatar Airways reportedly maintained their regular schedules without abandoning passengers or cargo. Justice Ayua said the evidence demonstrated that the runway conditions were sufficient for the flight to proceed safely. The court ruled that Lufthansa failed to provide a valid reason for excluding Mr. Onwugbufor from the flight. Legal experts said the decision reinforces the principle that airlines must honor the terms established in a contract of carriage. The judgment specified $20,000 in special damages for the costs incurred by the plaintiff due to the delay. An additional ₦15 million was awarded for general damages related to the mental distress and inconvenience suffered. Mr. Onwugbufor said the ruling serves as a reminder that international corporations are not above local consumer protection laws. A spokesperson for the airline said the company is reviewing the court's decision before determining its next legal steps. The July 2025 incident led to widespread complaints from travelers who were similarly stranded by the carrier in Abuja. Investigations by airport authorities at the time suggested that the offloading was an operational choice rather than a regulatory requirement. This ruling provides a precedent for other passengers seeking compensation for similar service failures by international airlines. Industry observers noted that the high damage award reflects the court's disapproval of the airline's conduct during the proceedings. The court dismissed the airline's defense that the situation constituted a force majeure event. Justice Ayua said the airline's failure to arrange alternative transportation promptly exacerbated the breach of duty. Mr. Onwugbufor had to secure passage on another carrier at his own expense to meet his professional obligations. The court found that the airline provided no evidence of attempting to accommodate the passenger on the next available flight. This judgment follows a series of criticisms regarding Lufthansa's operational transparency in the West African market. Consumer advocacy groups said the ruling highlights the necessity of holding foreign carriers accountable to domestic legal standards. The financial penalties are among the highest recorded in recent years for a single passenger service dispute in Nigeria. Legal analysts suggested that the airline may face additional litigation from other passengers affected by the same flight cancellation. The carrier has not yet confirmed if it will file an appeal with the Court of Appeal. For now, the ruling remains a significant victory for passenger rights and contractual integrity in international aviation.