NCAA warns international travellers to be at airport three hours before departure

For Nigerians travelling abroad, the difference between making a flight and watching it leave without them may come down to one simple decision: how early they get to the airport.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has renewed its warning to international passengers, advising them to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, amid varying airline check-in deadlines and the risk of passengers being left behind.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, issued the reminder on Monday, August 3, through his verified X account, urging travellers to plan ahead and take advantage of online check-in where available.

"For international flights, please, be at the airport three hours before departure. Some airlines close their check-in counters earlier than others. Also, if you can, check in online and secure a seat number. I can't stress this enough. Better to be too early for your flight, than be late."

The advice is not entirely new. NCAA officials have previously told passengers to allow three hours for international departures, particularly because late arrival can leave little room to resolve check-in or boarding complications.

The airport clock starts before boarding

The three-hour window is less about waiting around and more about creating room for the unpredictable.

An international passenger may have to navigate check-in, baggage drop, security screening, immigration and the final boarding process. A delay at any one of these points can quickly consume the time available before the gate closes.

And because airlines do not necessarily operate with identical check-in cut-off times, arriving at the airport three hours early gives passengers a margin that a tighter schedule may not provide.

Online check-in, where offered, can remove one part of the process, but it does not eliminate the need to allow enough time for baggage, security and border-control procedures.

NCAA raises red flag over travel agents

Achimugu's warning extended beyond airport timing to another problem that can cost passengers heavily: questionable practices by travel agents.

He gave an example of a passenger seeking to change a flight date who was told by an agent that the airline required an additional ₦2 million.

"Passenger wants to adjust flight date. They inform their travel agent. Agent tells the passenger that airline is demanding two million naira extra. Passenger is angry because the figure is too high. Turns out that travel agent and airline NEVER had such a conversation. Agent was just trying to take advantage of the passenger. Please, pay attention to the travel agents you use. Very important."

The warning is significant because passengers who book through intermediaries can sometimes depend on the agent to relay airline notifications and changes. Achimugu has previously highlighted problems arising when agents use their own contact details instead of those of passengers, potentially leaving travellers unaware of cancellations or other changes.

The practical lesson is straightforward: where a major additional charge is demanded for a ticket change, passengers should verify the claim directly with the airline before paying.

Local carrier gets international opening

The NCAA's passenger advisory comes against the backdrop of another development that could reshape Nigeria's international aviation market.

The Federal Government has approved four to five international routes for United Nigeria Airlines, including New York, Canada and Dubai. The approvals were announced by Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo during the unveiling of two newly acquired Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft by the airline.

Keyamo said the government was deliberately seeking to give Nigerian airlines a stronger foothold in an international market overwhelmingly controlled by foreign operators.

"We are giving United Nigeria Airlines about four or five routes. We are giving them New York, Canada, Dubai and some other viable destinations," the minister said.

The imbalance is substantial. According to Keyamo, foreign airlines currently carry between 90% and 95% of passengers travelling from Nigeria to international destinations, leaving indigenous carriers with only a small share of the market.

The new route approvals therefore represent more than an expansion for one airline. They are part of a wider attempt to translate Nigeria's bilateral air service rights into greater participation by Nigerian carriers.

Lagos airport also faces a major facelift

At the same time, infrastructure remains a central part of the country's aviation story.

FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku has previously confirmed plans for major renovation work at Terminal One of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with the project delayed by approval processes and other contingencies. Kuku stressed that the plan involved renovation rather than demolition of the terminal.

More recently, FAAN said a temporary terminal at the Lagos airport was nearing completion to support international operations while Terminal One undergoes rehabilitation. The temporary facility was designed to handle up to 1,500 departing passengers during peak periods and includes check-in, security and boarding facilities.

The developments point to a Nigerian aviation sector trying to solve two problems simultaneously: improving the passenger journey on the ground while expanding the country's presence in the international skies.

For travellers, however, the immediate rule remains simpler.

Arrive early. Check in online where possible. Confirm unexpected charges directly with the airline. And choose travel agents carefully.

For Nigerian airlines, the challenge is bigger: turning newly secured international routes into a meaningful challenge to foreign carriers that currently dominate the market.

The three-hour warning may help a passenger make a flight. The bigger aviation push will determine whether Nigerian airlines can make their own mark on the international market.