NCAA Chief Says Flight Delays Inevitable, Urges Better Airline Communication
The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has said that flight delays and cancellations will continue in Nigeria’s aviation sector, stressing that airlines must improve communication and passenger care to ease frustrations.
Mr Najomo made this known during an interview on Sunrise Daily aired on Channels Television on Saturday.
He noted that flight disruptions are a global occurrence and not unique to Nigeria, but emphasised that how airlines manage such situations remains critical.
“As far as I am concerned, delays and cancellations will continue because it is the same everywhere in the world,” he said.
The NCAA boss acknowledged growing complaints from passengers over frequent delays, last-minute schedule changes, and poor communication by some domestic carriers. He stressed that while disruptions may be unavoidable, airlines must prioritise timely updates and adequate care for affected passengers.
According to NCAA regulations, passengers are entitled to refreshments after two hours of delay, while longer disruptions may warrant refunds or alternative travel arrangements.
Mr Najomo, however, identified communication gaps as a major challenge, particularly for passengers who book flights through third-party agents.
“Some passengers don’t buy tickets directly. Agents often use their own contact details, so information doesn’t get to the passengers until they arrive at the airport,” he explained.
While recognising operational challenges, he described prolonged delays as unacceptable.
“It is not acceptable for a flight scheduled for 9 a.m. to depart in the evening. That is outrageous,” he said.
He attributed flight disruptions to factors such as adverse weather conditions, technical issues—commonly referred to as Aircraft on Ground (AOG)—and increasing incidents of bird strikes. He added that the NCAA is working with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to address such risks.
Mr Najomo also disclosed that the authority has stepped up enforcement measures, including sanctions against airlines that repeatedly fail to comply with regulations.
“If it becomes a continuous issue with any airline, sanctions will be applied. We have penalised some airlines, and enforcement will continue,” he said.
He further noted that the NCAA is intensifying public awareness campaigns to educate passengers on their rights and responsibilities.
Recent incidents, including a disruption involving Air Peace at London’s Gatwick Airport reportedly caused by a bird strike, have heightened public scrutiny of airline operations and passenger welfare.
Despite these challenges, the NCAA maintains that while disruptions may persist, improving communication and service delivery remains key to enhancing passenger experience.
