United Nigeria Airlines and Max Air recorded the highest flight cancellation rates in Nigeria’s domestic aviation market during the third quarter of 2025. The figures were released by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and cover operations between July and September. Despite leading the cancellation list, overall industry performance improved sharply compared to 2024.
The NCAA data shows United Nigeria Airlines posted a cancellation rate of 0.63 percent in Q3 2025, slightly lower than the 0.70 percent recorded in the same period last year. Max Air followed with 0.42 percent cancellations, improving from 0.60 percent in Q3 2024.
Other airlines recorded stronger performance across the quarter. Arik Air reduced cancellations significantly, dropping from 1.70 percent in 2024 to 0.30 percent in 2025. Air Peace recorded one of the sharpest improvements, cutting cancellations from 1.70 percent to just 0.09 percent. Aero Contractors remained unchanged at 0.30 percent across both periods.
Green Africa, Ibom Air, and NG Eagle also showed steady gains. Green Africa reduced cancellations from 0.50 percent to 0.27 percent, while Ibom Air dropped from 0.80 percent to 0.12 percent. NG Eagle improved to 0.03 percent from 0.10 percent. Overland Airways, Rano Air, and Value Jet each recorded 0.03 percent cancellations in Q3 2025, all improving from higher 2024 figures. XEJet posted a 0.12 percent cancellation rate.
In total, domestic airlines operated 17,731 flights during the quarter, up from 15,989 flights in Q3 2024. Only 80 flights were cancelled, a sharp decline from the 251 cancellations recorded a year earlier.
Flight delays also declined, though some carriers still struggled. Air Peace recorded the highest delay rate at 6.87 percent, improving from 8.07 percent in 2024. Max Air and United Nigeria followed with delay rates of 3.75 percent and 3.42 percent, respectively. Arik Air’s delay rate rose to 3.00 percent, up from 0.96 percent.
The NCAA reported 765 delayed flights in Q3 2025, down from 843 the previous year. The data suggests improving operational stability across Nigeria’s aviation sector, even as punctuality challenges remain for some airlines.
