Air Passengers May Receive Food, Airtime, Accommodation During Delays — FCCPC
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reiterated that airline passengers in Nigeria are entitled to certain forms of assistance, including meals, mobile airtime, and in some cases accommodation, when faced with prolonged flight delays or cancellations.
This clarification comes amid growing public concern over disrupted air travel schedules across the country, with stranded passengers frequently seen at major airports following repeated delays and sudden cancellations.
In recent days, images and videos circulating on social media have shown frustrated travellers left waiting for hours at terminals, particularly as airlines struggle with operational disruptions linked to the rising cost and limited availability of aviation fuel (Jet A1).
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, explained that consumer protection laws and aviation service expectations require airlines to provide basic welfare support when passengers are significantly delayed.
According to him, passengers should first be given refreshments during initial delays. As the delay extends, airlines are also expected to provide airtime to enable affected travellers to communicate their situation and make alternative arrangements.
He further noted that where cancellations occur abruptly after passengers have already arrived at the airport or waited for extended periods, airlines may also be required to provide transport assistance and accommodation, depending on the circumstances.
Ijagwu stressed that these obligations are not only rooted in regulatory expectations but also in global best practices for passenger welfare. He added that each incident should be assessed based on its specific conditions to determine the appropriate level of support that should have been offered.
The FCCPC’s position comes at a time when flight disruptions have become increasingly common across Nigeria’s aviation sector, driven largely by operational challenges affecting airlines.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja earlier in the week, several passengers experienced repeated flight rescheduling, with many left stranded without adequate arrangements for transportation or overnight lodging.
The situation has been worsened by the sharp increase in aviation fuel prices, which industry operators say has placed severe pressure on airline operations. Some carriers have warned that continued cost escalation could lead to higher airfares or even partial suspension of services.
Last week, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, indicated that airfares may need to be adjusted upward to ensure airlines remain operational and avoid a possible shutdown of domestic flight services.
Meanwhile, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has repeatedly raised alarm over the rising cost of Jet A1 fuel, which it says has surged from about ₦900 per litre in February to approximately ₦3,300 per litre in recent weeks—an increase of more than 300 percent.
In a correspondence to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), airline operators described the situation as unsustainable, stating that carriers have been absorbing the rising costs in an effort to keep flights running, but warned that the pressure is becoming unmanageable.
They further noted that current passenger revenues are insufficient to cover fuel expenses alone, raising concerns about the long-term viability of domestic airline operations if the trend continues.
As stakeholders continue to debate solutions, passengers are increasingly caught in the middle of rising costs and operational disruptions, with regulators urging airlines to uphold their welfare obligations even in challenging economic conditions.
