Why the NCAA is Threatening Sanctions on Domestic Airlines Over Flight Delays

December 23, 2025 at 09:22 AM•3 min read

Persistent flight delays and poor passenger care led the NCAA to issue a final ultimatum, enforcing Part 19 consumer protection rules to safeguard

Key Points

1NCAA issued an ultimatum to domestic airlines over persistent flight delays and poor passenger care, threatening sanctions for non-compliance.
2The warning followed an enforcement visit to Xejet, Rano Air, and United Nigeria Airlines at Abuja airport operations.
3Violations include failure to provide timely information and evading light refreshments after two hours of delay, contravening Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.
4Nigerian domestic airlines recorded 33,235 flight delays in 2024, representing a significant 47.1% of all operated flights.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning. Domestic airlines flight delays and passenger neglect must stop. The authority stated that sanctions will follow continued violations.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the ultimatum. This warning was posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. It followed an enforcement visit by NCAA officials on Monday. The inspection targeted the Abuja airport operations of three carriers. These were Xejet, Rano Air, and United Nigeria Airlines.

Core Violations of Passenger Care

Achimugu noted that many airlines fail to give timely information. They also deliberately evade providing light refreshments after two hours of delay. This practice is deemed unacceptable by the regulator. Airlines must comply with consumer protection provisions. This is especially critical during the peak December travel period.

The ultimatum is not limited to the three airlines inspected.
Non-compliance with the regulations will lead to action.

The Mandate of NCAA Part 19 Regulations 2023

The observed failures are direct passenger care violations of the NCAA Part 19 Regulations 2023. [cite: 4, 5, 10 from step 1] Part 19 outlines specific obligations for airlines. For domestic flights, this includes providing refreshments after two hours. [cite: 10 from step 1] It also mandates compensation or re-routing for delays beyond three hours. [cite: 10 from step 1]

This enforcement action is part of a broader push for airline consumer protection. The NCAA has intensified monitoring of the Nigerian aviation sector challenges. [cite: 11 from step 1, 13 from step 1]

Context of Flight Disruption Statistics

The warning comes amid persistent issues with flight disruption statistics. Data from the NCAA highlights the severity of the problem. In 2024, Nigerian domestic airlines recorded 33,235 flight delays. This was out of 70,543 total flights operated. This translates to a delay rate of approximately 47.1%.

United Nigeria Airlines accounted for 4,559 delays in 2024.
Rano Air recorded 1,699 delays during the same period.
Xejet had 146 delays in 2024, a smaller percentage.

Industry analysts attribute these delays to multiple factors. These include aircraft scarcity and poor scheduling. Foreign exchange pressure for spare parts also contributes. Inadequate airport infrastructure remains a key operational challenge.

Impact of Sanctions on Domestic Airlines

The threat of sanctions on domestic airlines signals a zero-tolerance approach. The NCAA aims to ensure passenger rights are upheld. Financial penalties and public naming are potential consequences. [cite: 9 from step 1, 11 from step 1] This regulatory pressure forces airlines to prioritize compliance. It also encourages investment in operational efficiency. This is vital for maintaining public trust in the Nigerian air travel industry.