The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has admitted that data inconsistencies and poor dissemination remain significant obstacles to the growth and stability of the country’s aviation industry.
At the NCAA Consumer Protection National Stakeholders Summit in Lagos, themed “Achieving Increased Adoption of Digital Technology in Air Travel Customer Complaint Management: The Regulatory Perspective,” the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, acknowledged the issue and promised improvements in data collection and management.
Achimugu noted that inaccurate data from aviation organizations, including airlines and agencies, has led to conflicting reports. “We take responsibility for this and are implementing more efficient methods of data collection to resolve discrepancies within the sector,” he said.
The agency’s latest data highlights ongoing challenges in flight operations. In the first half of 2024, 13 domestic airlines recorded 19,250 delays, representing 48% of 35,398 total flights. An additional 696 flights, or 2%, were canceled.
Airlines with the highest delays include Dana Air (69%), United Nigeria Airlines (62%), and Arik Air (59%). Major players like Air Peace also reported significant delays, with 5,350 out of 11,111 flights (48%) delayed during the period.
The data also showed varying rates of cancellations, with Air Peace canceling 294 flights (3%), Overland Airways 57 (5%), and Ibom Air 71 (2%). Smaller airlines like Rano Air and NG Eagle reported cancellations of 1% each.
Achimugu emphasized the NCAA’s commitment to improving data accuracy, ensuring transparency, and enhancing consumer trust in the sector.
