United Nigeria Airlines and Max Air recorded the highest proportions of flight cancellations in the third quarter of 2025, according to data released by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
In its Q3 2025 flight delay and cancellation report, which compares performance with the same period in 2024, the NCAA said United Nigeria posted a cancellation rate of 0.63 per cent between July and September 2025, an improvement from 0.70 per cent recorded a year earlier. Max Air followed with a cancellation rate of 0.42 per cent, down from 0.60 per cent in Q3 2024.
Other domestic carriers showed notable improvements. Arik Air reduced its cancellation rate to 0.30 per cent in Q3 2025 from 1.70 per cent the previous year, while Air Peace cut cancellations sharply from 1.70 per cent to 0.09 per cent. Aero Contractors maintained a steady rate of 0.30 per cent across both periods.
Green Africa lowered its cancellation rate from 0.50 per cent in 2024 to 0.27 per cent in 2025, while Ibom Air improved performance, reducing cancellations from 0.80 per cent to 0.12 per cent. NG Eagle recorded a cancellation rate of 0.03 per cent in Q3 2025, down from 0.10 per cent a year earlier.
Overland Airways, Rano Air and Value Jet each recorded cancellation rates of 0.03 per cent in Q3 2025, compared with 0.30 per cent, 0.10 per cent and 0.30 per cent respectively in Q3 2024. XEJet posted a cancellation rate of 0.12 per cent during the period.
Overall, the NCAA said domestic airlines operated 17,731 flights between July and September 2025, an increase from 15,989 flights in the same period of 2024. Total cancellations declined significantly to 80 flights in Q3 2025, compared with 251 recorded a year earlier.
On flight delays, Air Peace recorded the highest delay rate in Q3 2025 at 6.87 per cent, though this marked an improvement from 8.07 per cent in Q3 2024. Max Air followed with a delay rate of 3.75 per cent, down from 4.11 per cent, while United Nigeria recorded 3.42 per cent, slightly lower than its 3.48 per cent rate in the previous year.
Ibom Air reduced its delay rate from 1.68 per cent in 2024 to 1.23 per cent in 2025, while Aero Contractors recorded a marginal increase to 1.20 per cent from 1.11 per cent. Arik Air’s delay rate rose to 3.00 per cent in Q3 2025, up from 0.96 per cent a year earlier.
Green Africa improved performance by cutting delays from 0.33 per cent to 0.15 per cent, while NG Eagle recorded a delay rate of 0.39 per cent, up from 0.24 per cent. Overland Airways reduced delays from 1.11 per cent to 0.45 per cent, though Rano Air’s delay rate increased to 1.74 per cent from 0.54 per cent.
Value Jet improved its delay performance, reducing delays from 1.62 per cent in Q3 2024 to 0.93 per cent in 2025. Umza Air and XEJet recorded delay rates of 0.24 per cent and 1.62 per cent, respectively.
In total, the NCAA said 765 flights were delayed between July and September 2025, down from 843 delays recorded in the same period of 2024.
The improved performance figures come amid intensified consumer protection enforcement by the NCAA, which has significantly reshaped airline operations and accountability across the sector.
In recent months, the regulator has stepped up enforcement of Part 19 of its regulations, compelling airlines to take passenger rights more seriously. According to the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stronger enforcement, improved stakeholder engagement, and the agency’s round-the-clock presence at airports have influenced airline behaviour.
He added that domestic airlines paid more than N1 billion in passenger refunds between May and July alone, without direct regulatory intervention, signalling growing compliance across the industry.