The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned domestic airlines that they must provide refreshments to passengers during prolonged flight delays, especially amid the expected surge in disruptions during the Yuletide season.
The regulator issued the warning on Monday following reports that some airlines were failing to offer basic refreshments to passengers affected by lengthy delays.
Reacting to the reports, NCAA spokesperson, Mr. Michael Achimugu, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that all airline operators had been formally notified of their obligations under existing aviation regulations.
“It has been reported that some domestic airlines are not offering passengers the simple care of light refreshment during lengthy flight delays,” Achimugu said.
“This morning, we have informed all operators that refreshments MUST be given to passengers who are caught in such unpleasant disruptions, no matter the cause of delay,” he added.
Achimugu acknowledged the global rise in flight delays and cancellations but stressed that passenger care remains mandatory. According to him, the NCAA will closely monitor compliance, particularly in December when travel volume is high and disruptions have greater impact on passengers.
“It is true that there is a global surge in flight delays and cancellations, but by our regulations, care must be provided to passengers, especially given the volume and impact of December disruptions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has maintained that most flight disruptions in the country are infrastructure-related rather than airline-induced.
The association cited faulty conveyor belts, boarding congestion, and other airport operational constraints as major contributors to delays and cancellations.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, AON spokesperson and founder of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, said airlines generally comply with compensation rules as outlined in ticket conditions and applicable regulations.
“It is not 100 per cent the operator’s fault. From our own records, it could be about five per cent on the part of the operator, except in cases such as Aircraft on the Ground (AOG), where maintenance becomes unavoidable,” Okonkwo explained.
He added that delays are a global phenomenon and that passengers are entitled to refunds where ticket conditions allow, noting that some tickets are non-refundable based on agreed terms.
