NCAA Summons 13 Domestic Airlines Over Flight Delays, Cancellations
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned 13 domestic airlines to an emergency meeting in Abuja following growing concerns over persistent flight delays, cancellations, and poor passenger handling across the country.
The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters, was confirmed by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.
The regulatory intervention comes amid a surge in complaints from travelers and a worrying rise in cases of unruly passenger behaviour at airports. The NCAA has linked some of these incidents to airline negligence and poor adherence to aviation rules, which it said has left passengers frustrated and officials exposed to risks.
Achimugu explained that the discussions will address critical issues such as persistent delays, cancellations without due process, unresolved complaints over refunds and compensation, and the welfare of stranded passengers. He added that the authority is also focusing on safety protocols, protection for airline staff and NCAA officials, and the adoption of new technologies such as RFID baggage tagging and real-time flight monitoring to improve efficiency.
Only a day earlier, the NCAA had reminded airlines of their obligations under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, particularly Part 19, which spells out passenger entitlements during delays and cancellations. The rules make it mandatory for airlines to provide hotel accommodation for passengers stranded between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. when flights are cancelled.
The regulator warned that it would no longer tolerate violations, stressing that repeated offenders risk being “named and shamed” publicly. Achimugu said too many carriers have cancelled flights late at night without making any arrangements for passengers, leaving NCAA consumer protection officers to manage angry crowds. According to him, this practice not only breaches aviation regulations but also puts officials at risk.
“For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations,” he declared.
He, however, acknowledged that domestic carriers face operational challenges but maintained that this does not excuse non-compliance. He emphasised that Nigerian airlines must meet the minimum standards of service delivery if they wish to be regarded as world-class operators.