From Tarmac to Timetable: A Data-Driven Study of Airline Delay Performance in Nigeria

Author

Kelechi V. Iwuagwu, CUNY Graduate CenterFollow

Date of Degree

6-2025

Document Type

Master's Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Data Analysis & Visualization

Advisor

Matthew K. Gold

Subject Categories

Aviation and Space Education | Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Business Analytics | Management and Operations | Operational Research | Transportation and Mobility Management

Keywords

Nigeria Aviation Policy/Regulation, Transportation Analytics, Economic Development, Flight Delay Prediction, On-time Performance

Abstract

This capstone project investigates the patterns, causes, and impacts of flight delays in the Nigerian aviation sector from January 2024 to January 2025. Utilizing a dataset containing flight details—including scheduled and actual departure/arrival times, routes, and airline information—the study employs advanced data analytics and visualization techniques to uncover critical insights. The research highlights discrepancies between scheduled and actual flight performance, identifies delay patterns across airlines and timeframes, and explores the ripple effects of delays on subsequent flights.

Furthermore, Nigerian passengers frequently express frustrations over flight delays, cancellations, and poor communication from airlines, yet no publicly available data systematically documents these grievances. The absence of an independent, data-driven monitoring framework prevents regulators, stakeholders, and consumers from making informed decisions. This study addresses this gap by advocating for a robust data analytics approach to flight performance monitoring. By referencing historical flight performance statistics from global aviation regulators, the research underscores the importance of regulatory oversight and the need for third-party verification of airline-reported statistics.

Through spatial and temporal visualizations in Tableau, the study highlights delay hotspots and seasonal variations. Finally, the findings provide actionable recommendations for airlines, regulatory authorities, and airport managers to enhance scheduling efficiency, minimize delays, and improve passenger experiences. By addressing an underexplored area in Nigerian aviation, this project contributes to the broader discourse on transportation optimization in developing economies and lays the foundation for increased transparency in flight performance reporting.

Recommended Citation

Iwuagwu, Kelechi V., "From Tarmac to Timetable: A Data-Driven Study of Airline Delay Performance in Nigeria" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6336