United Nigeria Airlines and Max Air recorded the highest rates of flight cancellations among domestic carriers in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, according to the latest industry performance data released by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
In its Q3 2025 flight delay and cancellation report, which reviewed operations between July and September and compared them with the same period in 2024, the NCAA said United Nigeria Airlines posted a cancellation rate of 0.63 per cent.
This represents a marginal improvement from the 0.70 per cent recorded in Q3 2024.
Max Air followed with a cancellation rate of 0.42 per cent in Q3 2025, down from 0.60 per cent in the corresponding period last year.
Despite these figures, the regulator noted a broad improvement in operational reliability across the domestic aviation sector, with total cancellations declining significantly year-on-year.
Arik Air recorded a cancellation rate of 0.30 per cent in Q3 2025, a sharp improvement from the 1.70 per cent posted in Q3 2024.
Air Peace also achieved a notable reduction, with cancellations dropping to 0.09 per cent from 1.70 per cent in the previous year.
Aero Contractors maintained a steady performance, recording a cancellation rate of 0.30 per cent in both periods under review.
Green Africa improved its operational performance, cutting its cancellation rate to 0.27 per cent in Q3 2025 from 0.50 per cent a year earlier.
Ibom Air also recorded a great improvement, reducing cancellations from 0.80 per cent in Q3 2024 to 0.12 per cent in Q3 2025. NG Eagle posted one of the lowest cancellation rates at 0.03 per cent, down from 0.10 per cent in the previous year.
Similarly, 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 the same period of 2024. XEJet recorded a cancellation rate of 0.12 per cent during the quarter.
Overall, the NCAA reported that a total of 17,731 domestic flights were operated between July and September 2025, an increase from 15,989 flights recorded during the same period in 2024.
Within this period, 80 flights were cancelled, representing a sharp decline from the 251 cancellations recorded in Q3 2024.
On flight delays, the authority said Air Peace recorded the highest delay rate in Q3 2025, although performance improved year-on-year.
The airline posted a delay rate of 6.87 per cent during the quarter, down from 8.07 per cent in the corresponding period of 2024.
Max Air followed with a delay rate of 3.75 per cent in Q3 2025, compared to 4.11 per cent a year earlier, while United Nigeria Airlines recorded a delay rate of 3.42 per cent, slightly lower than the 3.48 per cent posted in Q3 2024.
The NCAA said the data reflects continued efforts by airlines to improve operational efficiency and reliability, even as passenger traffic and flight volumes continue to rise.
The regulator reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring airline performance and enforcing compliance with operational standards to enhance passenger experience and safety across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Leave a Comment