This predicament has resulted in numerous flight cancellations and delays, as the demand for aircraft significantly exceeds the available supply.
Despite recent additions of new planes by airlines, these efforts have not alleviated the severe shortage of aircraft within the industry.
“It has been an array of flight delays and outright cancellations at the airport today, December 22,” said Amina Jacob, an aggrieved passenger, told BusinessDay.
“Passengers arrived at the Lagos airport on board their flight to Kaduna, only to be told that the flight would no longer operate for that day,” Jacob said.
She indicated that the flight cancellation was due to a shortage of available aircraft, suggesting that the airline could have still operated if there had been sufficient planes.
Last month, operators utilized loans and partnerships to acquire aircraft to service local routes during the holiday season, responding to a significant increase in passenger numbers caused by a reduction in aircraft availability across the aviation industry.
Three weeks ago, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced that 10 airplanes were en route to Nigeria to alleviate the flight demand during the holiday period, as measures were being implemented to prevent chaos at Nigerian airports.
However, investigations reveal that demand continues to exceed supply, with airlines struggling to accommodate all passengers without experiencing delays and cancellations.
Impact of Adverse Weather
In addition to the limited fleet, the ongoing harmattan haze has hindered pilots' ability to take off and land on time, exacerbating the situation with further delays and cancellations.
Obi Jackson, a passenger traveling domestically from Lagos, reported that his flight to Abuja was delayed for more than three hours on Sunday.
He contended that airlines are now employing delay tactics when they are aware that they lack the necessary aircraft to transport all booked passengers.
“They tell us they are delaying flights because of bad weather, but this delay has been happening before the harmattan weather. It only worsened because of the passenger surge during this season,” Jackson said.
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the management of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), has reported an increase in instances of disruptive and aggressive behavior among air travelers, attributed to delays and cancellations of flights.
BASL emphasized in a statement that such conduct is intolerable and contradicts the expected standards of behavior within its premises.
“While we understand the frustration that can arise from flight cancellations and delays, we urge passengers to address their concerns through appropriate channels, as outlined in Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs). These regulations clearly define the rights and responsibilities of passengers as well as the obligations of airlines, travel agents, and tour operators.
“BASL has a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of unruly or violent behaviour. Such actions will result in immediate legal action, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, and potential inclusion on no-fly lists. We remain committed to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all passengers, staff, and stakeholders,” the terminal operator stated.
Ndukwe Ginika Ogechi, the CEO of Geena Travels and Tours Limited, expressed to BusinessDay that ongoing flight delays and cancellations are causing significant frustration for passengers, leaving them stranded at the airport and disrupting their travel plans.
“On Sunday alone, over three airlines delayed flights within an hour. Some airlines now announce on their website that passengers should expect flight delays as a result of the current harmattan haze.
“I think the major problem these airlines are having at this period is most likely weather-induced,” Ogechi said.
A recent viral video depicted passengers scrambling and tumbling over one another to board an Air Peace flight at Abuja airport. In response, Air Peace Airlines clarified that the flight delay was due to harmattan haze and assured that sufficient aircraft had been allocated to transport passengers to their destinations.
Over the past year, industry stakeholders have expressed concerns regarding the overcrowding of passengers, which has been attributed to a reduction in fleet size. Airlines that have sent their planes for maintenance have faced challenges in returning them, primarily due to soaring costs linked to foreign exchange shortages. Additionally, some airlines were compelled by the NCAA to ground their aircraft due to their inability to complete maintenance.
According to data from the NCAA, 13 domestic airlines in Nigeria operate a combined total of 91 aircraft, including those currently undergoing maintenance. Sources indicate that aside from Dana Air, which has been grounded, more than half of the 91 aircraft are in maintenance, resulting in increased pressure on the remaining operational fleet.
Five years ago, there were only 10 domestic airlines servicing Nigerian routes, yet they operated over 120 aircraft at that time.