The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has directed Ibom Air to compensate passengers affected by its cancellation of flight on Friday, September 5, 2025.
This followed a complaint by a passenger on X, who accused Ibom Air of poor service, stating that the airline after moving a 3:30pm flight to 5:20pm, only to still call travellers to come down and pick up their luggage.
The passenger wrote; “You’ve monopolised the system as the only airline travelling to Akwa Ibom, yet you frustrate the very people you should be serving. Shame on you.”
In a quick response on Friday night, the NCAA spokesman, Michael Achimugu, explained that the flight was cancelled as a result of a technical issue.
According to Achimugu; “There was an initial delay with the operating aircraft in the morning due technical. That is force majeure. That delay had a knock-on effect on all other routes serviced by that aircraft, and was the reason for rescheduling the flight from 15:30 to 17:50.
“The airline is ready to fly, but that delay means that Uyo airport, which is a sunset airport, would be closed by the time they arrive.
“As a result, it is safer to cancel the flight and reschedule for tomorrow,” he said.
Achimugu further said that he had spoken with the management of the airline, and told that some passengers were provided hotel accommodation, adding that all passengers would receive emails on Friday night with an offer of 25% compensation.
He also said; “Flight disruptions happen. Where the airline would be sanctioned is if they fail to comply with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations, per care for the passengers. In this case, that care is being provided. The original flight time was 15:30, not mid-day. Ibom Air has one of the best on-time performance records in the industry.
“One of the reasons why Nigeria has safe skies despite all of the criticisms is because, for the slightest safety risk, aircraft would never be allowed to fly. We prefer to ensure the safety of lives and delay some flights. Only the living would fly tomorrow,” he enthused.
The NCAA spokesperson apologised to all affected passengers, saying that more aircraft are expected to be deployed into Nigeria very soon which would enable most airlines to have rescue aircraft for situations like this.
