Air Peace delayed 1,864 flights in August – Report - Punch Newspapers

Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, recorded the highest number of flight disruptions among the country’s domestic airlines in August, with 1,864 delays and other disruptions, according to data released by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. The airline was followed by United Nigeria Airlines, which recorded 1,231 disruptions during the month, highlighting the growing burden of delays on passengers travelling across the country. The figures were contained in the NCAA’s Summary of Domestic Airline Flight Disruptions Operations in August, which showed that domestic airlines collectively recorded 7,961 flight disruptions. This data represents more than statistics. The number shows the level of anger among Nigerian passengers, as disruptions could mean hours spent waiting at airports, missed appointments, disrupted business plans and, in some cases, unexpected accommodation and transportation costs. With thousands of disruptions recorded in August alone, the challenge facing Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector is increasingly being measured not only in cancelled and delayed flights, but also in the time, money and plans lost by passengers waiting for airlines to get them to their destinations. Beyond Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines, other carriers also recorded significant disruptions during the month. The data showed Enugu Air recorded 878, while ValueJet had 767. Ibom Air recorded 560 disruptions, followed by Rano Air with 503 and Aero Contractors with 469. Others were UMZA Air, 403; Max Air, 336; Arik Air, 301; Overland Airways, 239; Green Africa, 226; XEJet, 127; and BiNANI Air, 57. The August figures come against the backdrop of a difficult year for Nigeria’s domestic aviation industry. In 2025, domestic airlines reportedly lost an estimated N32.5 billion to 50,800 flight delays and cancellations. The airlines operated 87,650 flights during the period, with 45,320 delayed and another 5,480 cancelled outright. ValueJet, Gateway Air begin daily Abuja-Ogun flights Morning recap: Again, Nigerians lose savings to Ponzi scheme, Dangote refinery raises petrol gantry price, other top stories NCAA fines RwandAir N15m The report, titled 2025 Domestic Airline Performance Overview and produced by aviation research company Aeronexus Partners, attributed the disruptions to several factors, including crew shortages, adverse weather conditions and technical problems. Cancellations alone increased by six per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2024, according to the report. Former Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Samuel Caulcrick, said the scale of delays could be measured against the schedules airlines publish to passengers. “The delays are measurable based on the published schedules of each airline,” Caulcrick said. He explained that the NCAA had directed domestic airlines to ensure that their published schedules reflected the aircraft available to them. He said, “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has explicitly directed domestic airlines to match their published monthly schedules with their actual fleet capacity.” According to him, airlines are also required to reduce their active routes and schedules whenever technical problems ground an aircraft. He stressed that airlines should not sell tickets for flights they lack the operational capacity to provide. The industry expert said, “The NCAA now legally requires domestic airlines to actively reduce their active routes and schedules whenever technical issues ground a plane. “Airlines are explicitly prohibited from selling tickets for schedules they do not have the serviceable aircraft capacity to fulfil.” Caulcrick urged the aviation regulator to enforce the requirement more strictly, insisting that doing so would help reduce the frustration experienced by passengers. “I suppose the NCAA should strictly enforce it to mitigate passengers’ frustration due to delays,” he said. Olasunkanmi Akinlotan Akinlotan is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of experience reporting on politics, social justice, motoring, railways, and aviation. His work focuses on accountability, public interest, and social change, producing stories that inspire reform and amplify underrepresented voices. Akinlotan’s reporting reflects extensive newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a strong commitment to accurate, impact-driven journalism.

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