A series of recent near-crash incidents has heightened safety concerns among air travelers, prompting some to switch to road travel while others rely on prayer before flights. 2024 has been a particularly turbulent year for the Nigerian aviation industry, with numerous incidents occurring between January 2024 and January 2025, despite regulatory efforts to improve the country’s aviation standing. Within this 13-month period, at least ten incidents have demanded public and regulatory attention, ranging from fatal helicopter crashes to aircraft skidding off runways and emergency landings due to technical issues.
Several specific incidents highlight the growing concerns. A Dana Air aircraft skidded off the runway in April, leading to the airline’s suspension for a safety audit. Shortly after, a XeJet Airlines aircraft also veered off the runway upon landing in Lagos. Other incidents include an Air Peace flight returning to Benin due to a technical problem, a Max Air engine catching fire mid-flight, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft suffering a tire burst, and a United Airlines flight returning to Lagos after a technical issue. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has responded by suspending Max Air operations following a tire burst incident, marking the airline’s third incident in three months, and has initiated risk assessments for all scheduled airlines.
These repeated incidents have fueled passenger anxieties, with many expressing fear and calling for greater emphasis on aviation safety. Passengers have shared their experiences, describing sudden drops in altitude and emergency landings, and have voiced concerns about the seriousness with which safety issues are addressed. Some have recounted personal decisions to postpone travel due to fear, while others have highlighted concerns about the professionalism and accountability within the Nigerian aviation sector. Many passengers have emphasized the need for prayer and divine intervention to ensure safer skies.
