The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to introduce tougher penalties for domestic airlines that record repeated flight delays and fail to properly handle passengers during disruptions.
Newsonspot reports that the warning was issued on Thursday by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, through his official X account. He stressed that chronic inefficiencies in airline operations would no longer be tolerated.
According to Achimugu, the aviation regulator has consistently supported airline operators despite ongoing challenges in the sector. However, he noted that recent developments have made it necessary to enforce stricter sanctions where airlines repeatedly fall short of service standards.
He explained that while not all flight disruptions are caused by airlines, recurring delays and poor passenger handling are unacceptable. He added that the level of support provided by the Federal Government and aviation authorities should result in better service delivery.
Achimugu cited the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, as evidence that operators have received strong institutional support.
While acknowledging the difficult operating environment faced by airlines, he maintained that certain lapses – especially poor communication with passengers during delays and cancellations – could no longer be excused.
He said airlines must comply with regulations on hotel accommodation, transport assistance (HOTAC), and first needs compensation, noting that failure to properly manage passenger information has led to increased tensions and violence at airport terminals.
To underline the seriousness of the issue, Achimugu referenced international practice, citing the recent $2 million fine imposed on JetBlue Airlines in the United States for chronic flight delays.
He added that aviation regulations may be reviewed and strengthened to address emerging challenges in the industry, while assuring both passengers and operators that the NCAA remains committed to fairness, accountability, and the protection of stakeholder rights.
The move comes amid rising passenger complaints over frequent flight delays across Nigeria. Data from the NCAA shows that domestic airlines operated 17,731 flights between July and September 2025, an increase from 15,989 flights in the same period of 2024. Flight cancellations dropped significantly to 80 in the third quarter of 2025, compared to 251 cancellations recorded a year earlier.
Despite the improvement, several incidents in 2025 highlighted ongoing service challenges. In April, Air Peace suspended operations due to a strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, leaving passengers stranded at major airports. In May, Max Air passengers reported prolonged delays and poor communication on flights from Kaduna and Kano. In June, United Nigeria Airlines faced public backlash after a Lagos – Abuja flight was delayed for over 10 hours without official updates to passengers.
