Flight Delays and Disruptions in Nigeria Attributed to Airlines’ Capacity Issues
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has identified the primary cause of flight disruptions and delays in the country as a lack of capacity among Nigerian airlines. This revelation comes as the Nigerian aviation sector grapples with a surge in passenger flight delays and cancellations.
According to Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, the scarcity of adequate aircraft among Nigerian airline operators is at the root of the challenge. Achimugu made this disclosure in an interview at an event organized by the agency in Abuja.
The NCAA official emphasized that the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has taken steps to address this issue. The recent signing of the Cape Town Convention (CTC) practice direction has paved the way for domestic airline operators to access aircraft on dry lease, which will help alleviate the capacity problem.
Furthermore, plans are underway to calibrate the country’s airports, providing an additional solution to the flight disruption issue. Achimugu explained, “In Nigeria, we have a capacity problem. We simply do not have enough aircraft to fly people around the country.”
He highlighted that the minister has acknowledged this issue and has facilitated a solution through the signing of the Cape Town Convention. With this development, more planes are expected to enter the country, mitigating the capacity challenge.
Achimugu reiterated that the lack of capacity is the major reason for flight disruptions, which can have a ripple effect on other flights. “Once there is a disruption in the morning, any particular flight affects another route,” he noted. Additionally, Achimugu mentioned that some airports require calibration, a task that the government is working to address.
This development comes on the heels of Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, announcing that the country is no longer blacklisted globally. The country’s rating has risen to 75.5 percent, marking a significant improvement in its aviation industry.
