The Nigerian government has threatened to sanction Air Peace and other domestic airlines over the recurring cases of flight delays and cancellations that have continued to frustrate passengers across the country.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists after a meeting with airline operators and other stakeholders in the aviation sector.

Keyamo said the government was considering stiffer penalties for airlines that fail to comply with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, which mandate compensation for passengers affected by delays and cancellations.

“The meeting was convened to find lasting solutions to the persistent delays and cancellations that have plagued the sector,” he said, adding that airlines must take responsibility for their actions.

The Minister explained that the government would not fold its hands while Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences of poor service delivery by airlines, adding that any operator found wanting would be made to face the full weight of the law.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, had been directed to step up its oversight functions and ensure strict compliance with the regulations.

Keyamo also stated that the government was considering a review of the existing consumer protection regime to make it more effective in addressing the grievances of passengers.

The meeting was attended by the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, and other key players in the industry.

The development follows a series of complaints by passengers over the failure of airlines to compensate them for delayed or cancelled flights, as required by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.