Amanze Chinonye
Aero Contractors has paid out ₦257,195,724.39 in passenger refunds between January and August 2025, a sharp rise from ₦108,308,037.40 in the same period of 2024 and only ₦32,766,652.30 in 2023.
The figures, confirmed by internal records, represent a 137 per cent year-on-year increase and highlight both stronger consumer protection and deepening concerns about airline reliability.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) credits the jump to stricter enforcement of Part 19 of the 2023 Regulations, which require airlines to promptly refund passengers for cancelled or delayed flights.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelRecords also show that Aero spent ₦6,083,229 on hotel accommodation for stranded travellers from January to July 2025, with payments verified at Cocos Hotel, Grand Cubana Hotel (Abuja), NOCY Castle Hotel, Kim Royal Hotel, JC42 Apartment (Asaba) and Mayor & Diplomat Hotel (Lagos).
Refunds Signal Trouble Behind the Numbers
While the refund surge shows regulators are protecting passengers, it also points to widespread flight disruptions.
Industry watchers say a climb from ₦32.7 million in 2023 to over ₦257 million in 2025 can only mean more cancellations and long delays.
“It’s good that people are getting their money back,” Mr lawson Ehibe aviation an analyst said, “but every refund represents a missed flight and a ruined schedule. You can’t refund lost time.”
Critics warn that last-minute cancellations throw travel plans into chaos, forcing passengers to miss business meetings, medical appointments and connecting flights.
Even when refunds are paid, the stress and extra costs from rebooking to overnight stays are borne by travellers.
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Pressure on Airlines and the Wider Sector
The higher payouts also squeeze airline finances.
Refunds and hotel bills eat into thin margins, and operators may respond with higher ticket prices or trimmed schedules to recover losses.
For the wider industry, the trend is a double-edged sword.
The NCAA has won praise for making refunds a reality, but the rising numbers reveal persistent problems such as maintenance delays, forex shortages and high fuel costs that force carriers to cancel flights more often.
Investors, meanwhile, may view the growing refund bill as a sign of instability in Nigeria’s operating environment.
Bottom Line
The soaring refunds are good news for passenger rights but bad news for flight reliability.
Regulators have shown they can enforce consumer protections, but airlines now face pressure to fix the issues behind the cancellations better fleet maintenance, improved scheduling and easier access to spare parts.
Until those problems are addressed, industry critics say, the impressive refund figures will remain a costly symptom of weakness rather than a sign of real progress.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
