The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) revealed that 190 flights were cancelled and 5,225 delayed across Nigeria between September and October 2024.
Chris Najomo, acting director-general of the NCAA, disclosed these figures on Friday, December 27, during an engagement session with airlines in Lagos. He expressed concern over the increasing rate of flight disruptions and emphasized the need for better management of these situations.
“Delays and cancellations are sometimes inevitable, but poor management of these disruptions is not,” Najomo said.
He noted that 5,291 domestic flights were operated in September, resulting in 2,434 delays and 79 cancellations. In October, 5,513 flights were operated, with 2,791 delays and 111 cancellations recorded.
“It’s the responsibility of airlines to ensure that every disruption, whether due to operational, technical, or weather-related challenges, is handled with the utmost professionalism and regard for passengers’ rights, particularly as we are in the harmattan season with poor weather conditions that will affect flight operations,” he said.
Najomo reminded operators of their obligations under the Nigeria Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection) Regulations, 2023, which mandate airlines to uphold passenger rights during disruptions. “These regulations are not optional; they are mandatory obligations,” he added.
On December 24, the NCAA announced sanctions against five airlines—two international and three domestic—for violating Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations of 2023. The violations included failure to refund passengers within the stipulated time frame, non-responsiveness to directives, incidents of missing or damaged luggage, short-landed baggage, and issues related to delays and cancellations.
The NCAA has urged airlines to prioritize professionalism and passengers’ welfare to minimize the impact of disruptions.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
