The latest report on domestic and international flight operations released by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) showed that 54% (5,363 ) of the domestic flights operated between May and June 2019 were delayed.
According to the report, in May, a total of 5,000 flights were operated in the country, out of which 2,463 or 49% were delayed. Also, in June, a total of 5,323 domestic flights were operated and out of these, 2,900 (54%) were delayed.
Domestic flights’ delayed: Analysis of the data showed that nine domestic airlines operated in the country between May and June with a total of 10,323 flight operations. These included Air Peace, Aero Contractors, Dana Air, Arik Air, Max Air, Azman Air, Overland Airways, Medview Airline and Ibom Air.
- Out of the total delayed flights, Air Peace recorded the highest reported cases with 2,026 (38%) delayed and nine cancelled flights.
- Aero Contractors recorded 765 delayed air flights, representing 14% of total flights delayed without any cancelled flights.
- Dana Air ranked third. In two months, it recorded 605 or 11% of total flights delayed.
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- Arik Air recorded 553 or 10% of total delayed flights to rank 4th, while it also recorded five cancelled flights.
- Max Air ranks 5th with 467 or 9% of total delayed flights and seven cancelled flights.
- Azman Air ranks 6th with 439 (9%) delayed flights, while Overland Airways recorded 308 (8%) delayed flights.
- Medview Airline recorded 57 flights delayed.
- Ibom Air recorded 31 (1%) delayed flights. This, according to the record, was the least.
A further look into the report showed that a total of 2,504 International flights were recorded between May and June. Out of the 2,504 flights, 673 got delayed. This represented 29% of the total flight operations in Nigeria during the period.
The rising-rate of flight delay in Nigeria has been a source for concern just as an earlier report showed that 7,926 delayed domestic flights were recorded between January and March 2019. This means between January and June 2019, Nigeria recorded a total of 13,289 cases of air flight delay.
The local aviation sector of Nigeria is arguably one of the most unreliable in the emerging market. Flight delays are frequent occurrences and Nigerians appear to be accustomed to it.
The Downsides – The question on the lips of many Nigerians is: when would Nigerian airlines become reliable for travellers? Sadly, it may not be anytime soon as most of the challenges faced by these airlines still remain.
- The shortage of aircraft remains a concern for most airlines who don’t have enough to cover more routes.
- Huge overheads and thin margins mean airlines need to cut the cost to remain afloat and when they do, they often cut customer service experience.
- It should be noted that flight delays may sometimes be due to operational reasons, technical problems, scarcity of aviation fuel, and bad weather.
- In recent times, there have reported cases of accidents involving Air Peace fleets and as according to the raking above, the airline is the king of delayed flights in Nigeria.
- The latest statistics call for further concerns as Nigerians have been made to bear the brunt of flights delay.
[READ FURTHER: Worry, as another Air Peace jet gets involved in an accident]