The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has identified the shortage of aircraft among Nigerian airlines as the main cause of flight delays and disruptions across the country. This was disclosed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, during an event in Abuja.

Achimugu emphasized that the aviation sector faces serious capacity challenges, making it difficult to meet passenger demands. A disruption in one flight often cascades into multiple delays across other routes.

However, he noted that recent government efforts are addressing these issues. The signing of the Cape Town Convention (CTC) practice direction will allow Nigerian airlines to access more aircraft through dry leasing, expanding their fleets. Additionally, plans to recalibrate airports across the country are underway to improve operations and minimize disruptions.

He also highlighted a positive development: Nigeria is no longer blacklisted internationally, with its aviation rating rising to 75.5%.

The NCAA and the Ministry of Aviation hope these measures will mitigate delays and improve passenger experiences in the coming months.