NCAA lists airlines with highest theft, discourtesy cases in Nigeria

Aviation industry stakeholders, including airline operators have in recent times raised alarm over the increasing rate of theft on domestic flights, involving passengers.

Passengers in recent times have complained and reported that items kept on the overhead bin and their hand luggage got missing.

As airlines increase their fees for checked baggage, passengers have started using larger bags as carry-ons and packing more valuables in them. This has led to reports of theft from carry-on baggage stored in the overhead compartments and under the seats of aircraft during flights and the theft of the carry-on bags themselves during and after flights. Often the traveller does not realize that something is missing until much later.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) executive summary of international and domestic flight operations from January to December 2024, gave names of airlines and number of theft, discourtesy cases on Nigerian route.

For international airlines, the reports shows that Royal air leads in number of theft and discourtesy cases with 58 cases out of 473 flights operated within the period. Qatar air follows with 47 cases out of 1,375 flights. Egypt Air 47 cases out of 820 flights and Ethiopian Air recorded 38 cases out of 1,197 flights operated. Turkish Airline 28 cases out of 582 flights and Taac Angola recorded 23 cases out of 255 flights operated.

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On the domestic scene, Air Peace leads the pack with 404 cases out of 15,413 flights operated within the period; Arik Air follows with 396 cases out of 10,699 flights operated; Dana Air 316 cases out of 1,446 flights operated, Aero Contractors 270 out of 4,559 flights operated, Ibom Air 238 cases out of 7,856 flights, Green Africa 170 cases out of 4,215 flights, and United Nigeria Airlines 131 cases out of 7,794 flights.

Others include Max Air with 84 cases out of 4,783 flights, Overland 52 cases out of 3,407 flights and NG Eagle 35 cases out of 1,166 flights operated.

To reduce cases of theft on the plane, when passengers board the plane, they are advised to stow their carry-on bag in an overhead compartment directly across the aisle from their seat. This way, they can see right away if anyone tries to get into it.

When passengers place their bag in the compartment, they are advised to turn it upside down. This will make it difficult for a thief to take items from the bag without removing it from the compartment.

Whether passengers hang their coat or a garment bag in the hang-up area of the plane or put it in the overhead compartment, they are advised to take all of their valuables out of their pockets.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.