Airline Operators Challenge NCAA's Flight Delay Data

Airline operators have contested the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's (NCAA) report indicating over 60 percent of domestic flights were delayed in August 2026. They argue that this figure cannot solely reflect airline performance, as significant delays are often due to airport congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and bad weather.

During the Aviation Day at the 23rd Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, stated that the NCAA's data fails to differentiate between delays caused by airlines and those resulting from external factors. He likened the situation to a school where a high failure rate does not necessarily indicate poor teaching.

Olawuyi pointed out that many delays stem from infrastructure challenges, particularly during peak periods, and highlighted technical issues as another contributing factor to flight disruptions.