The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has signalled plans to introduce tougher sanctions against domestic airlines over repeated flight delays and poor passenger handling, warning that recurrent inefficiencies will no longer be tolerated in the sector.

This was announced on Thursday via the official X handle of the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu.

He said, “We will be pushing for stiffer penalties against domestic airlines for chronic delays. We have protected operators, stood for them, explained for them, been insulted for them, and supported them because it is the right thing to do.

“The majority of flight disruptions are not caused by the airlines, but recent events justify the need for heavier ramifications where there is recurrent inefficiency.”

He noted that the level of support extended to airline operators by the current administration and aviation authorities should reasonably translate into improved service delivery.

He said, “The natural law of nature is that when an industry is supported by government in the way that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done; in the way that the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN has done; in the way that the DGCA, Capt. Chris Najomo has done, in the way that our Consumer Protection Department has done, the least expectation of reciprocity is for remarkable improvements to reflect in flight operations and some other aspects.”

While acknowledging the challenging operating environment faced by airlines, he insisted that certain lapses could no longer be excused. Achimugu stated, “One understands, and has reiterated the challenging operating environment that operators have to meander in an industry that is starting to improve in terms of policies driven by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development (read the CTC Practice Direction, IDERA, Consumer Protection awareness, etc), but there are some lapses that are inexcusable.”

He emphasised persistent failures in communication with passengers during disruptions, noting that this had worsened tensions at airports.

“Immeasurable times, I have stressed the need for airlines to improve communication during flight delays and cancellations. I have stressed the need to comply with the regulations in the areas of HOTAC and First Needs Compensation,” he said.

According to him, mishandled passenger information has fuelled many of the confrontations seen at terminals. “The failure to manage information properly, as well as poor passenger handling, has been responsible for the majority of passenger violence at our airport terminals.”

Citing international precedent, he pointed to a recent sanction in the United States, saying, “Not too long ago, the US authorities fined JetBlue airline to the tune of two million dollars for ‘chronic delayed flights,’ the first of its kind in the US.”

He added that regulations may need to evolve in response to emerging challenges. “Regulations may evolve as challenges take expression and impact the industry.”

Reassuring both passengers and operators, Achimugu maintained that the NCAA remained committed to fairness and accountability in the aviation sector. “The NCAA is committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders, and a review that strengthens the Authority to enforce compliance for both passengers and operators has to be done.”

The move comes against the backdrop of growing passenger complaints over widespread delays in the country’s aviation sector.

The NCAA said domestic airlines operated 17,731 flights between July and September 2025, up from 15,989 flights in the same period of 2024. Total cancellations fell sharply to 80 flights in the third quarter of 2025, compared with 251 cancellations recorded a year earlier.

In April 2025, Air Peace temporarily suspended flight operations following a strike by Nigeria Meteorological Agency staff, affecting departures at major airports, including Lagos and Abuja, and leaving passengers stranded for hours.

In May 2025, passengers reported multiple delays on Max Air flights, with several flights out of Kaduna and Kano rescheduled late into the night without clear communication, sparking complaints on social media.

In June 2025, United Nigeria Airlines faced backlash after a flight from Lagos to Abuja was delayed by more than 10 hours, with many customers saying they received no official updates from the carrier during the wait. (The PUNCH)

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