The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a firm warning to all airline operators in the country, insisting that they immediately revise flight schedules whenever aircraft are grounded due to technical faults, including mechanical failures and bird strikes.
The authority has also cautioned that stiffer penalties will be imposed on carriers that continue selling tickets for flights they are unable to operate.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, delivered the warning during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise programme. A video clip from the interview was later posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) page.
“What the NCAA is saying to the operators is simple: if you have aircraft grounded due to technical issues, bird strikes, or any related problems, then reduce the scale of your operations accordingly,” Achimugu said.
“You must not sell tickets to passengers for routes you know you may not be able to fly. Repeated violations will draw more severe sanctions this year than in previous years.”
The statement comes amid mounting frustration from Nigerian travellers who have faced frequent flight delays and cancellations. Many of these disruptions have been linked to a lack of available aircraft, rather than weather conditions or external circumstances.
This regulatory stance follows a recent meeting between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the management of Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines. The meeting, which took place on 2 May 2025, was convened in response to a surge in customer complaints over delayed and cancelled flights.
During the discussions, DGCA Director General Capt. Chris Najomo urged Air Peace to align its service schedule with its available fleet and reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to promoting a reliable aviation environment.
“We are intensifying our oversight to ensure that all airlines conform to international standards,” Najomo stated.
“Operators must not compromise operational integrity or the trust of their passengers.”
The NCAA’s intervention is part of a broader move to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector by ensuring transparency, accountability, and dependable service delivery across the board.
