Nigeria’s largest domestic carrier by flight volume, Air Peace, recorded 1,330 delayed flights out of 1,864 domestic operations in August 2026, according to data released by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The figure means about 71.4 per cent of Air Peace’s domestic flights during the month departed or arrived behind schedule. The airline nevertheless operated more flights than any other carrier covered by the regulator’s August disruption report.

Air Peace also recorded seven cancellations during the month.

The NCAA data showed that flight delays were widespread across Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector, with 4,765 of 7,961 flights delayed in August.

That translates to about 59.9 per cent of all domestic flights covered by the report, meaning roughly six in every 10 services failed to operate on schedule. Airlines also recorded 36 cancellations during the month.

The regulator’s figures show that most delays lasted less than two hours.

Across all domestic airlines, 2,801 flights were delayed by between 16 minutes and one hour, while another 1,322 flights were delayed by between one and two hours.

A further 407 flights experienced delays of between two and three hours, while 235 flights were delayed for three hours or longer.

For Air Peace specifically, 666 flights were delayed for between 16 minutes and one hour, while 400 were delayed for between one and two hours.

Another 156 Air Peace flights were delayed for between two and three hours, while 108 flights kept passengers waiting for at least three hours.

That means 264 Air Peace flights experienced delays of two hours or more during August.

Although Air Peace recorded the highest number of delayed flights in absolute terms, United Nigeria Airlines had a higher proportion of delayed flights.

United Nigeria operated 1,231 domestic flights, with 943 delayed, representing about 76.6 per cent of its August operations.

The airline also recorded eight cancellations, the highest among carriers covered by the report.

Other airlines also recorded significant delays.

Enugu Air had 582 delayed flights from 878 operations, while ValueJet recorded 435 delays from 767 flights.

Ibom Air recorded 254 delays from 560 operations, Max Air had 204 from 336 flights, while Rano Air recorded 216 delayed flights out of 503 operations.

The latest figures come amid growing concern from the aviation regulator over recurring delays, cancellations and operational difficulties affecting passengers.

On September 10, NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo warned airlines to ensure that their published schedules reflect the aircraft and crew actually available to operate them.

The regulator has raised concerns about carriers publishing schedules they may not have sufficient aircraft or crew capacity to maintain, while also acknowledging that weather conditions, diversions and airport restrictions can contribute to disruptions.

Passengers have frequently complained about the financial and personal impact of delayed flights, including missed appointments, disrupted business plans, accommodation expenses and additional transport costs.

The NCAA’s August report provides one of the clearest snapshots yet of the scale of the problem.

With almost 60 per cent of domestic flights delayed during the month, pressure is likely to remain on airlines to improve scheduling, communication and contingency arrangements for affected passengers.

The regulator published its Summary of Domestic Airline Disruption Operations for August 2026 on September 13.