The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has raised concerns over the growing number of flight cancellations in the country, revealing that 190 flights were cancelled between September and October 2024.
Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, highlighted the alarming figures during an Airlines-NCAA engagement event on Friday, addressing the frequent flight disruptions affecting passengers nationwide.
Najomo revealed that in September 2024, out of 5,291 flights operated, 2,434 were delayed while 79 were cancelled. Similarly, in October 2024, 5,513 flights were operated, with 2,791 delays and 111 cancellations.
The NCAA emphasised the need for airlines to address these disruptions, urging stakeholders to collaborate in improving flight reliability and passenger experience in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Najomo said, “Delays and cancellations are sometimes inevitable, but poor management of these disruptions is not. 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.
“Our flight operations data record indicates that in September 2024; 5,291 domestic flights were operated with 2,434 delays and 79 cancellations. In October 2024; 5,513 flights were operated with 2,791 delays and 111 cancellations recorded.
“I must remind all operators of the NCAA Regulations on Passenger Rights during disruptions, as outlined in the Nigeria Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection) Regulations, 2023 (that) these regulations are not optional; they are mandatory obligations.”