The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed Ibom Air to compensate passengers following the cancellation of a scheduled flight on Friday, which left many travellers stranded. The directive followed complaints by affected customers, including one passenger who took to social media platform X to criticise the airline for rescheduling the 3:30 p.m. flight to 5:20 p.m. before later instructing passengers to collect their luggage.
Responding to the backlash, Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, clarified that the disruption was caused by a technical issue with the aircraft earlier in the day. He described the situation as an unavoidable case of “force majeure,” stressing that safety concerns made it impossible for the airline to proceed as planned. Achimugu explained that the delay would have pushed the arrival time beyond the operational hours of Uyo airport, which is a sunset airport, making cancellation the safer option.
To cushion the impact on passengers, Ibom Air provided hotel accommodation for some travellers and committed to offering 25 percent compensation to all affected customers via email. Achimugu emphasised that the airline would only face sanctions if it failed to comply with NCAA’s consumer protection regulations, adding that, in this instance, the necessary care for passengers was being implemented.
Defending the carrier’s record, the NCAA spokesperson described Ibom Air as one of the most punctual operators in Nigeria’s aviation industry. He noted that while delays can be frustrating, the priority remains passenger safety, adding that “it is better to delay flights and protect lives than to risk operating an aircraft with a potential fault.”
Looking ahead, Achimugu disclosed that more aircraft are expected to be introduced into Nigeria’s aviation sector in the coming months. He expressed optimism that these additions would reduce flight disruptions, ease operational pressure on airlines, and improve efficiency across the industry.
