United Nigeria, Max Air lead flight cancellations in Q3 2025 – Report

File photo: United Nigeria Airlines

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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.

In its Q3 2025 flight delay and cancellation report, which compared 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 a year earlier. Max Air followed with a cancellation rate of 0.42 per cent, down from 0.60 per cent in Q3 2024.

Arik Air reduced its cancellation rate significantly to 0.30 per cent in Q3 2025 from 1.70 per cent in the previous year. Air Peace also recorded a sharp improvement, cutting cancellations from 1.70 per cent in Q3 2024 to 0.09 per cent in 2025.

Aero Contractors maintained a steady cancellation rate of 0.30 per cent across both periods, while Green Africa lowered its rate from 0.50 per cent in 2024 to 0.27 per cent in 2025. Ibom Air improved performance as well, reducing cancellations from 0.80 per cent to 0.12 per cent, and NG Eagle posted 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 recorded 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, up from 15,989 flights in the same period of 2024. Total cancellations fell sharply to 80 flights in Q3 2025, compared with 251 cancellations recorded a year earlier.

On flight delays, the authority said Air Peace recorded the highest delay rate in Q3 2025 at 6.87 per cent, although this represented 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 the 3.48 per cent posted 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, compared with 0.96 per cent a year earlier.

Green Africa cut delays from 0.33 per cent in 2024 to 0.15 per cent in 2025, while NG Eagle recorded 0.39 per cent, up from 0.24 per cent. Overland Airways also improved, reducing delays from 1.11 per cent to 0.45 per cent, although Rano Air’s delay rate increased to 1.74 per cent from 0.54 per cent.

Value Jet improved its performance, cutting 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 delayed flights recorded during the same period in 2024.

The latest flight performance data comes against the backdrop of intensified consumer protection enforcement by the NCAA, which has significantly altered airline operations and accountability across the sector.

In recent months, the regulator has stepped up the implementation 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 reshaped airline behaviour.

He said domestic carriers paid more than N1bn in refunds between May and July alone without direct regulatory intervention, signalling growing compliance within the industry.

Princess, has three years journalism experience covering entertainment, including radio and TV and recently aviation and transport with Punch Newspapers

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