More aircraft fail to cut flight delays in Nigeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Businessday
Expansions to Nigerian airlines’ fleets have not eased delays, with airports still facing limited infrastructure and ageing air traffic management systems. Runway congestion, evening operating restrictions and maintenance constraints continue to disrupt flights, according to BusinessDay.
Nigerian airlines recorded 4,765 delays across 7,961 scheduled flights, or 59.9% of operations during the month, despite renewing and expanding their fleets, BusinessDay reports, citing data from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Fifteen carriers operated the flights; 36 were cancelled.
United Nigeria Airlines had the highest delay rate among the major carriers, with 76.6% of its 1,231 flights delayed. Air Peace followed at 71.4% (1,330 delays out of 1,864 flights), ahead of Enugu Air at 66.3% and ValueJet at 56.7%. Umza Air, by contrast, recorded the lowest rate, at 12.9% (52 delays out of 403 flights).
Delays are linked in particular to congestion in aircraft parking areas, operating limits at some airports after nightfall, and air traffic management systems considered outdated. Tight flight schedules, mandatory maintenance, bird strikes, network expansion and bad weather also affect punctuality.
United Nigeria recorded eight cancellations, Air Peace seven and Enugu Air four. Max Air recorded three cancellations, as did Gree…
