The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and aviation stakeholders have agreed to extend operational hours at sunset airports from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This development aims to address frequent flight disruptions, particularly at airports lacking 24-hour operations.
Sunset airports are facilities that operate between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm due to the absence of night flying infrastructure. The decision was formalised in a communique issued after a stakeholder meeting in Lagos, signed by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu.
The meeting, attended by key aviation figures, including the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and representatives of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), sought to resolve issues surrounding flight delays and cancellations.
Flight Disruptions and Key Statistics
The Ag. Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, revealed that of the 5,291 flights operated in September 2024, 2,434 were delayed, and 79 were cancelled. Similarly, 2,791 out of 5,513 flights were delayed in October, with 111 cancellations.
Airlines were advised to optimise their flight schedules, maintain standby aircraft for emergencies, and utilise weather forecasts from NIMET to enhance planning and scheduling.
Improved Passenger Experience and Safety Measures
To address flight disruptions, airlines must now provide mandatory passenger care, including information updates, refreshments, accommodation, rerouting options, and timely refunds as stipulated in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023. Delayed or missing luggage complaints must also be resolved promptly with adequate compensation.
The communique condemned rising incidents of unruly passenger behaviour and announced plans for joint sensitisation campaigns by NCAA and FAAN. Mobile courts will also be established to address incidents involving disruptive passengers.
Additionally, AVSEC officers have been directed to respond promptly to passenger agitation and professionally de-escalate aggression. Measures to reduce bird strike risks, such as addressing waste management near airports, were also highlighted.
Collaboration and Regulatory Updates
Airlines were encouraged to collaborate on luggage and passenger handling, following the example of Ibom Air. Passengers will now be informed when luggage is offloaded due to space or weight restrictions.
The NCAA also clarified that recent sanctions imposed on five airlines, including Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airways, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors, were related to consumer protection infractions rather than safety concerns.
Stakeholders expressed concerns about negative media narratives and called for investigative reporting to address defamatory publications. Passengers were urged to understand weather-related disruptions and their impact on flight schedules.
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to ensuring the smooth running of aviation operations in Nigeria, with plans for stricter enforcement of security measures and improved service delivery across the industry.
