FCCPC reaffirms passenger rights in Nigeria, stating airlines must provide care, refunds and support during flight delays and cancellations

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reiterated that airline passengers in Nigeria are entitled to basic care, including refreshments, communication support and, in some cases, accommodation, when flights are delayed or cancelled.

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The FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, made the clarification during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

Ijagwu said airlines are expected to meet certain consumer protection obligations, depending on the length and severity of flight disruptions.

“If your flight is delayed, you are supposed to be given refreshments. After some more hours of delay, you are supposed to be given airtime,” he said.

He explained that passengers may be considered to be in distress during prolonged disruptions and therefore require assistance from airlines.

According to him, extended delays or sudden cancellations may also require additional support such as transportation and accommodation, depending on the circumstances.

“When it gets to cancelling the flight abruptly, and you had kept consumers all through that time, it is required even outside of the law,” he said.

He added that in many cases, airlines are expected to assist passengers with transport arrangements, especially when airports are far from city centres.

Ijagwu further noted that each case is assessed individually, taking into account the duration of the delay, the conditions experienced by passengers and the response provided by the airline.

The FCCPC’s position comes amid growing complaints from travellers over repeated flight delays, rescheduling and cancellations across major Nigerian airports, including Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Passengers have recently reported being stranded for hours without adequate information, transport or accommodation following sudden schedule changes by airlines.

The situation has been linked to rising operational pressures in the aviation sector, particularly the cost and availability of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1.

Airline operators have warned that fuel prices have surged sharply in recent months, significantly increasing the cost of domestic flight operations and straining airline revenues.

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Industry stakeholders continue to caution that without intervention, service disruptions may persist, affecting both airlines and passengers across the country.