By Dickson Omobola
Domestic air travellers are lamenting frequent flight delays and cancellations across airports in the country, with many expressing frustration over prolonged waiting times and disrupted travel plans.
Saturday Vanguard also observed that departure halls at several airports across the country have been crowded in recent times, with many stranded and delayed passengers wearing long faces.
A visit to the domestic terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Monday, lent credence to the development, as passengers waited for updates on delayed flights.
At the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, Tuesday, the departure hall was crowded, with travellers expressing concern over the frequency of flight disruptions.
For instance, one of the passengers, Eze, said his flight had been delayed both on his journey from Lagos to Abuja and on his return trip.
He said: “My flight was delayed while I was going to Abuja from Lagos. It was delayed as I am returning. I am stressed, honestly. And I am not alone. Delay announcements are many, about four in two hours today. Terrible.”
Another passenger, Jeremiah, whose flight from Warri to Lagos was disrupted, Sunday, said he was forced to spend additional money after the flight was rescheduled to the following day.
He said: “I had to part away with another money after my flight scheduled for 5pm on Sunday was shifted to the next day. I needed to be in Lagos by 9am on Monday because I had an important meeting to attend.”
Recently, a passenger, Segalink, also took to X, formerly Twitter, to express frustration over a prolonged delay on an Air Peace flight from Asaba to Lagos.
He wrote: “Air Peace is interesting. Flight P47863 from Asaba to Lagos which was scheduled to depart at 15:00 on 26/09/2026 (yesterday) kept being rescheduled allegedly due to maintenance and the majority of the passengers slept at the airport in the hope of flying only to be told around 12am that they would fly by 5am this morning.
“Unfortunately, that promise wasn’t fulfilled until almost 9am today. These were passengers who bought tickets for a 10am flight originally from Asaba to Lagos. No refreshments or hotel accommodation were provided. Is this how we will continue? These are folks who will not permit you to board if you are 15 minutes late to the counter.”
Recall that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA’s, Summary of Domestic Airline Flight Disruptions Operations for August, which showed that domestic airlines collectively recorded 4,801 disruptions out of 7,961 operated flights.
Air Peace recorded the highest number of disruptions, with 1,337 delayed or cancelled flights out of 1,864 operated during the month. United Nigeria Airlines delayed or cancelled 951 of its 1,231 operated flights, while Enugu State-owned Enugu Air recorded 586 disruptions out of 878 operated flights. ValueJet disrupted 438 of its 767 operated flights.
Akwa Ibom State-owned Ibom Air recorded 257 disruptions out of 560 operated flights, while Arik operated 301 flights, of which 188 were delayed and one was cancelled.
However, the airlines faulted the statistics, saying most of the disruptions were caused by factors beyond their control.
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