NCAA Confirms Reduction in Flight Delays, Cancellations on Domestic Routes

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed a notable decline in flight delays and cancellations on domestic routes in recent months.

Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, described the development as impressive and encouraging. He attributed the improvement to a combination of stabilised operations following the peak festive season and a natural decrease in passenger volume.

However, Achimugu cautioned that as Nigeria enters the rainy season, travellers should still anticipate some weather-related disruptions in the coming weeks.

He made the remarks during a ceremony marking Ethiopian Airlines’ 80th anniversary in Lagos, noting that a recent Aircraft Acquisition Summit hosted by the Minister of Aviation has brought renewed focus to the Nigerian aviation sector.

Achimugu stated that the authority has made passenger feedback mechanisms easier to access. While some passengers are making effective use of the NCAA’s online portal to lodge complaints, others still find it difficult to navigate the platform. He noted that email and social media options remain available for passengers to resolve their issues.

Regarding a report issued by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on airline ticket pricing, Achimugu said: “The FCCPC did not submit reports 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.”