The Federal Government has stated that air passengers have lost 19,274 pieces of luggage between January and June in 2024.

According to data from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, 19,250 passengers were delayed for many hours during the review period.

Some challenges air passengers in Nigeria face include the loss of personal belongings and the overall unpleasant experiences in several airports.

NCAA data further revealed that 35,398 flights operated by 13 local carriers experienced 16,945 delays, while 26 international airlines had 2,305 flight delays out of the 7,144 flights operated within the same period.

The 13 domestic carriers cancelled 696 flights within the period, representing two per cent of the total 35,398 flights operated by the airlines.

The data indicated that 48 per cent of total local flights were delayed by domestic operators with Dana Air getting the highest number of delays. It recorded 69 per cent flight delays, as the airline delayed 999 flights out of a total of 1,446.

Aero Contractor had 37 per cent delays with 1,992 operations. Arik Air had 59 per cent delays, indicating 1,378 delays out of its 2,331 flights operated within the period.

The report showed that Overland Airways, Air Peace, Max Air, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Green Africa Airways, ValueJe, Rajo Air, and NG Eagles also recorded flight delays.

Air Peace, the biggest Nigerian airline, had 11,111 flights with 5,350 of the flights delayed, representing 48 per cent. The airline’s performance was better than Max Air but worse than Overland Airways.

The half-year report showed that Azman, which only flew 145 times, had 76 delays, indicating 52 per cent flight delays within the period.

The document showed that Aero Contractors had 33 cancelled flights, which was two per cent of its total flights; Arik Air had 32 cancelled flights, representing one per cent of its total operations.

Overland Airways had 57 cancelled flights, showing five per cent of its total flights; Air Peace had 294 cancelled flights, which was three per cent of its total flights; Max Air had 23 flight cancellations, representing one per cent of its total flights, among others.

On the international routes, the airlines operated 7,144 flights, with 2, 305 delays and 69 cancellations to and from Nigeria.

Eight international carriers delayed 40 per cent and above of their flight and they include Delta Airlines, Cronos, Turkish Airlines, South African Airway, Air Peace, British Airways, Kenya Airways, and Air Cote d’Ivoire.