NCAA Orders Air Peace to Compensate Passengers After Delayed Flight

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has mandated Air Peace to provide compensation for passengers affected by a delayed Lagos-Enugu flight, following a preliminary investigation that revealed the airline sent incorrect notifications to travelers.

The situation escalated when human rights activist and lawyer Inibehe Effiong publicly criticized Air Peace after his flight was postponed until the evening, jeopardizing his scheduled court appearance in Enugu State. Effiong expressed his frustration on social media, accusing the airline of negligence.

Arriving at the Murtala Muhammed Airport at 5:50 AM for his 6:45 AM flight, Effiong became suspicious when only passengers from a cancelled flight the day before were called to board. He noted a significant delay, with the airline eventually announcing the flight would not depart until 4:50 PM.

Compounding the issue, Effiong revealed that Air Peace had sent a misleading reminder at 2:01 AM that day, leading him to believe the flight was still on schedule. He criticized the airline for taking passengers "for granted" and claimed that regulators were complicit in Air Peace's "impunity."

According to NCAA data, Air Peace recorded a staggering 71% flight delay rate in August 2026, raising questions about the airline's operational reliability. Effiong argued that such patterns reflect poorly on the aviation sector's commitment to customer service.

Responding to the backlash, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated that the authority is not incapable of handling disruptions. He expressed empathy for Effiong, affirming that the NCAA would investigate the matter thoroughly.

Achimugu clarified that the delay was a "ripple effect" from previous disruptions and stated that passengers should have been informed about the rescheduling. He indicated that the airline claimed to have provided accommodation and care for those affected, but the NCAA is still verifying these claims.

The NCAA has insisted that Air Peace must develop a compensation package for affected passengers in compliance with its regulations. Achimugu warned that while the airline would not face immediate sanctions if it fulfills its obligations, failure to comply could lead to severe penalties.

As the situation unfolds, passengers are left hoping for a satisfactory resolution while Air Peace grapples with the fallout from this incident and its broader operational challenges. The NCAA's involvement underscores the importance of accountability in the aviation sector as it seeks to uphold passenger rights.