NCAA Confirms Xejet Settles N2 Million Penalty, Tightens Passenger Protection Measures
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that domestic airline Xejet has fully paid the N2 million fine imposed on it over violations of consumer protection regulations, as the regulatory agency continues to intensify efforts aimed at safeguarding the rights and interests of air travellers across the country.
The confirmation was made public by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, through a statement shared on his official X platform, where he disclosed that the airline not only settled the sanction fee but also tendered an official apology to the authority over the service failures that led to the disciplinary action.
According to Achimugu, Xejet acknowledged the infractions identified by the regulator and assured the NCAA of its commitment to improving the quality and reliability of its operations going forward.
“The operator, XEJET, has paid the sanction fee to the NCAA along with an official apology for the issues that led to a sanction, and a commitment to continue to improve the quality of its service to passengers,” he stated.
The sanction was imposed earlier this month after investigations by the NCAA reportedly established that the airline breached certain provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) relating to passenger rights and consumer protection obligations.
Although the specific violations were not publicly detailed, the enforcement action is understood to be connected to complaints associated with service delivery failures, which have increasingly attracted regulatory scrutiny within Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Industry observers say the development reflects the NCAA’s growing determination to ensure that airlines comply strictly with established standards governing passenger welfare, particularly amid rising concerns over persistent flight disruptions, inadequate passenger communication, delayed refunds, arbitrary cancellations, and other service-related complaints.
In recent months, the regulatory authority has stepped up oversight of domestic operators, warning airlines against acts capable of undermining consumer confidence in the sector.
The NCAA has repeatedly stressed that passenger protection remains a critical component of aviation regulation and that operators found violating relevant provisions would face sanctions where necessary.
As part of broader efforts to shield passengers from the consequences of operational instability among airlines, the authority has strengthened its surveillance of carriers’ financial and operational performance.
The NCAA has continued to conduct periodic audits and assessments designed to determine whether airlines possess the financial capacity, technical competence, and operational resilience required to sustain safe and efficient services.
The agency has also maintained stricter monitoring of operators with recurring service deficiencies, especially those linked to prolonged delays, cancellations, and unresolved refund disputes.
Airlines identified with repeated infractions have increasingly come under closer regulatory scrutiny.
To further protect passengers, the NCAA has reinforced enforcement of compensation and care obligations for travellers affected by disruptions.
Under existing regulations, airlines are required to provide adequate assistance to stranded passengers, including refreshments, accommodation where applicable, timely information, and alternative travel arrangements depending on the circumstances surrounding the disruption.
In addition, the authority has continued to expand public awareness campaigns on passenger rights through airport sensitisation exercises, stakeholder engagements, consumer complaint channels, and digital platforms aimed at educating travellers on available procedures for lodging complaints and seeking redress.
The NCAA’s stricter enforcement approach, has been described as necessary for restoring discipline, accountability, and public trust in Nigeria’s air transport industry.
Many believe stronger regulatory intervention is essential to prevent situations where passengers suffer financial losses or are abandoned due to the operational collapse or poor service delivery of airlines.
The latest action involving Xejet is therefore being viewed as part of a broader regulatory campaign by the NCAA to compel airlines to uphold acceptable standards of service while ensuring that the protection of passengers remains central to the growth and sustainability of the nation’s aviation sector.
