The acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has expressed grave concern over the rising number of flight cancellations and the unruly behavior of passengers at airports, revealing that nearly 190 flights were canceled in just two months.
Speaking at an engagement session between airlines and the NCAA on Friday, Najomo highlighted the severity of the issue, stating that flight disruptions, including delays and cancellations, have reached unprecedented levels.
In September 2024, out of 5,291 domestic flights, 2,434 were delayed, and 79 were canceled. The following month saw a similar trend, with 5,513 flights operated in October, 2,791 delayed, and 111 flights canceled.
“Delays and cancellations are sometimes inevitable, but poor management of these disruptions is not. Airlines must ensure that every disruption, whether due to operational, technical, or weather-related challenges, is handled with the utmost professionalism and regard for passengers’ rights,” Najomo emphasized in his address.
The acting Director General also reminded the airline operators of the mandatory Nigeria Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection) Regulations, 2023, which detail the rights of passengers during disruptions. These regulations, Najomo said, are not optional and must be adhered to by all operators.
Najomo also raised concerns about the increasing number of passengers exhibiting unruly behavior at the airports, particularly in response to flight disruptions.
He revealed that he had received calls from the presidency and members of the National Assembly regarding the growing incidents of violence and aggression among travelers.
Describing these actions as an embarrassment to the country, Najomo assured that the NCAA would take all necessary steps to address the situation and restore order at Nigerian airports.
“The unruly behavior of some passengers is fast becoming very disturbing,” Najomo stated. “This is not good for our image as a country, and we are resolute in putting a stop to it.”
The NCAA boss acknowledged that flight cancellations and disruptions were a major contributor to the volatile atmosphere at airports but emphasized that violent behavior was never an acceptable response.
He promised that the NCAA would work with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to formulate decisive actions to mitigate the issue.
In support of the NCAA’s position, Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), expressed her dissatisfaction with the trend of passenger misconduct.
Kuku emphasized the importance of effective communication between the NCAA, FAAN, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to improve coordination and ensure that passengers are kept informed about flight changes.
“We have continued to tell the passengers to ensure that they provide their email addresses to the airlines so they can receive timely information,” Kuku said.
“However, if you act in a manner that is demeaning to airline staff or airport personnel, we will prosecute you or even place you on a no-flight list.”
As both regulatory bodies work together to address these challenges, the aviation industry is under increased pressure to ensure smoother operations and improved customer service, all while maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s global reputation.
