United Nigeria Airlines and ValueJet have challenged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s August flight disruption figures, arguing that the data does not distinguish delays caused by airlines from those resulting from factors outside their control.
The NCAA reported that domestic airlines operated 7,961 flights in August, with 4,765 recorded as delayed. The figures have sparked concern over the scale of disruption faced by air travellers, but airline officials said the numbers do not provide a complete picture of what causes flights to run late.
The issue came up during the aviation day of the 23rd Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, where industry stakeholders discussed passengers’ rights and airlines’ responsibilities when flights are delayed or cancelled. Brandspur Business News Desk gathered that representatives of United Nigeria and ValueJet pointed to airport congestion, weather, infrastructure limitations and technical problems as some of the factors affecting flight schedules.
Adedayo Olawuyi, chief commercial officer of United Nigeria Airlines, said congestion could prevent aircraft from moving even when an airline is ready to operate a scheduled flight. He explained that several operators can have flights scheduled within the same period, putting pressure on available parking, taxiways and other airport facilities.
According to Olawuyi, technical problems also require airlines to keep aircraft on the ground until necessary checks and repairs have been completed. He said safety considerations mean an aircraft cannot simply be released for service because passengers are waiting to depart.
He maintained that while airlines accept responsibility for disruptions within their control, the same standard should not be applied to delays caused by external circumstances. He called for future data to separate controllable disruptions from those caused by other stakeholders so that airline performance can be assessed more accurately.
Olawuyi also said passengers affected by delays may be entitled to refreshments or meals depending on how long they are kept waiting. He advised travellers to arrive at airports on time, monitor messages from their airlines and remain calm when disruptions occur.
ValueJet’s chief commercial officer, Trevor Henry, similarly identified several airport related challenges behind delays and cancellations. These include congestion associated with presidential movements, adverse weather, check in areas, security screening, boarding lounges and gates.
He added that congestion can continue after passengers have boarded, particularly during busy morning periods when several aircraft are attempting to use the taxiway and runway.
Remi Jibodu, chief operating officer of Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, proposed the introduction of a slot system to manage the concentration of flights. He noted that thousands of passengers can arrive for morning departures while more than 10 airlines may have flights scheduled for around 7am.
He suggested that spreading flight schedules across different periods could ease pressure on airport facilities and reduce congestion affecting passengers and aircraft.
The discussions come as flight delays and cancellations remain a significant concern for domestic travellers, with disruptions capable of affecting passengers’ plans and businesses that depend on predictable air travel. The airline representatives, however, stressed that understanding the cause of each disruption is necessary before attributing responsibility.
