The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has indicated it will begin enforcing stricter penalties on domestic airlines over frequent flight delays and poor treatment of passengers, warning that repeated lapses will no longer be overlooked.
This position was made public on Thursday, by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, via his official X account. He said the regulator is now pushing for tougher sanctions against airlines with a history of chronic delays, noting that while authorities have consistently defended and supported operators, recent developments make stronger action necessary.
According to Achimugu, although many flight disruptions are often beyond the airlines’ control, recurring inefficiencies can no longer be justified. He stressed that the extensive support provided to the aviation industry by the federal government, the Minister of Aviation, and the NCAA should be reflected in better service delivery and improved flight operations.
While acknowledging the difficult operating environment airlines face, Achimugu maintained that some shortcomings particularly poor communication and passenger handling are unacceptable. He emphasized that airlines frequently fail to properly inform passengers during delays and cancellations or comply with regulations on hotel accommodation, feeding, and first-needs compensation, a situation he said has contributed significantly to tensions and incidents at airport terminals.
He cited international examples to underscore the point, referencing a recent $2 million fine imposed on JetBlue in the United States for persistent flight delays. Achimugu added that aviation regulations may need to be updated to address evolving challenges in the industry.
Reaffirming the NCAA’s position, he said the authority remains committed to fairness, accountability, and the protection of all stakeholders, adding that regulatory reviews are being considered to strengthen enforcement for both airlines and passenger rights.
The announcement comes amid rising passenger complaints about delays across Nigeria’s aviation sector. Data from the NCAA show that domestic airlines operated 17,731 flights between July and September 2025, an increase from 15,989 flights during the same period in 2024, while cancellations dropped significantly from 251 to 80 flights.
Despite the improvement in cancellation figures, several incidents fueled public frustration in 2025. Air Peace suspended operations briefly in April following a strike by Nigeria Meteorological Agency workers, stranding passengers at major airports. In May, Max Air faced criticism over repeated delays and poor communication on flights from Kaduna and Kano. In June, United Nigeria Airlines also came under fire after a Lagos–Abuja flight was delayed for over 10 hours without official updates to passengers.
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