NCAA Reveals High Flight Delay Rates in Nigeria

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) publicly criticized domestic airlines for their failure to adequately support passengers during flight disruptions. Data revealed that in August 2026, nearly 60% of domestic flights were delayed, with 4,765 delayed flights and 36 cancellations out of 7,961 total operations, resulting in a delay rate of approximately 59.8%.

Michael Achimugu, the director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, stated that airlines are required to provide light refreshments within two hours of a delay and a proper meal after six hours, but these provisions are often ignored. He also highlighted the lack of timely communication with passengers and the tendency of airline staff to leave airports during severe disruptions.

Additionally, Achimugu pointed out issues with unresolved refund requests and the practice of offering discounts on future tickets instead of cash compensation for denied boarding due to overbooking. The NCAA pledged to enforce passenger protection rules and urged airlines to improve schedule reliability and care quality during disruptions.