Nigerian domestic airlines recorded a staggering 33,235 flight delays in 2024, significantly disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers across the country.
According to the latest Executive Summary from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the airlines operated a total number of 70,543 flights in the 2024 operational year.
According to the report, Air Peace, Arik Air, and United Nigeria Airlines accounted for the highest number of delays, reflecting ongoing operational challenges in the industry.
The report indicates that Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, had the most delayed flights, with 7,619 out of 15,413 flights —a delay rate of nearly 50%. Arik Air followed closely, recording 5,027 delays out of 10,699 flights, while United Nigeria Airlines reported 4,559 delays from 7,794 operations.
Other major airlines also struggled with punctuality. Max Air ranked fourth, with 2,961 delays out of 4,783 flights, while Ibom Air had 2,739 delays from 7,856 flights, and Green Africa Airways, had 1,499 delays from 4,215 operated flights.
Some of the country’s oldest carriers also featured in the report, with Overland Airways logging 1,978 delayed flights out of 3,407 operations, and Aero Contractors recording 1,882 delays from 4,559 flights.
The delays extended across several other operators, including Rano Air (1,699 delays from 4,814 flights) and ValuJet (1,413 delays from 3,933 flights).
The high rate of flight delays has continued to frustrate air travelers across Nigeria, affecting business trips, family visits, and international connections. Many passengers have had to endure long waiting hours at airports, unexpected schedule changes, and in some cases, financial losses due to missed appointments and non-refundable expenses.
