By Ubong Usoro
In recent months, many Nigerian air travelers have faced delays and cancellations—often without adequate prior notice—leading to frustration and calls for accountability within the aviation sector.
According to data from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), between September and October 2024, domestic airlines operated 10,804 flights, of which 5,225 were delayed and 190 canceled. This means nearly 48% of flights experienced disruptions during this period.
My friend Emilia was supposed to board a 2 p.m. flight from Abuja to Calabar with one of the carriers. The flight was rescheduled for 4 p.m., but minutes to the new time, it was postponed again to 6 p.m. Eventually, it was pushed to Monday, and on Monday, the morning flight was again rescheduled to the afternoon. Like Emilia, many Nigerians in recent times have experienced one form of delay or cancellation, some without prior notice.
Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, expressed concern over these disruptions, asking that airlines manage such situations professionally. He highlighted that while some delays are due to unavoidable factors like weather, many stem from poor management and planning by the airlines themselves.
In response to these issues, the NCAA has threatened sanctions against airlines that fail to comply with passenger rights regulations. The authority has increased surveillance to monitor airline compliance and ensure that passengers receive timely information and appropriate compensation when disruptions occur.
Just last week, I still had some passengers report being left stranded for hours without updates or assistance. In some cases, flights have been delayed for over five hours, causing significant inconvenience and financial losses.
Airline operators have pointed to factors such as infrastructural challenges, VIP movements, and even passenger behavior as contributing to delays.
The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyeama, recently noted that passengers’ insistence on being prioritized after cancellations can disrupt subsequent flight schedules, exacerbating delays.
Despite these explanations, the consensus among regulators and passengers is clear: the current state of flight operations is untenable. The NCAA’s commitment to enforcing regulations and holding airlines accountable is a step toward restoring confidence in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The Nigerian aviation sector must remember that it is a mirror of the nation’s reputation and image. Courtesy, service awareness, and customer satisfaction are watchwords that should not be ignored for any reason whatsoever.
We must be committed to transparency, accountability, and passenger welfare. Only through concerted efforts by both regulators and airline operators can the industry hope to regain the trust of the traveling public.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
