The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned air travellers to brace for possible flight delays and cancellations as the rainy season approaches.

It also disclosed yesterday that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has yet to submit its findings on the controversial airfare hike during the Yuletide season.

Speaking with aviation journalists in Lagos yesterday, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, said while flight disruptions had reduced compared to the last quarter of 2025, seasonal weather conditions were likely to pose fresh challenges.

Achimugu cautioned that the gains might be temporary, noting that the upcoming rainy season could pose a fresh challenge.

Achimugu, however, expressed optimism that 2026 would bring greater stability to the sector, as some of the aircraft ordered by airlines would begin arriving.

He also pointed to recent outcomes from the Nigerian Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit (NAAIS), hosted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, where airlines secured deals to expand their fleets.

Speaking on the allegation of price-fixing levelled against some indigenous and foreign airlines by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Achimugu said his office had yet to receive any official report on the matter.

He, however, reiterated that the high airfares during the December festive period were not due to increased government taxes, as the airlines claimed.

The director further identified communication gaps between airlines and passengers and urged operators to be more transparent and proactive in keeping travellers informed.

“Well, the FCCPC did not submit their report to my office. So, I don’t know what they found out. All I know is that in December, I disagreed with the reason for the hike in airfares as stated by some operators.”

You know, they alleged that it was due to taxes. I didn’t agree with that and I still stand by that position.

“Another challenge is letting the passengers know because there’s always a gap between what is happening in the real sense of it, what the airlines are going through and what the passengers understand,” he said.

Also, he explained that more passengers were taking advantage of the NCAA’s complaint portal to seek redress, even though some still struggled with the technical requirements, and said the NCAA also provided email and social media platforms as alternatives for dissatisfied travellers.

He restated that the NCAA would continue to support airlines through public information campaigns, but insisted operators must take greater responsibility for engaging their customers. (The Guardian)

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