GROUND HANDLERS HALT XEJET SERVICES OVER N300M DEBT

The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria has directed its members to suspend ground handling services to XEJET Airline over an outstanding debt of about N300m.

AGHAN announced the directive on Monday, saying the airline had repeatedly failed to honour repayment arrangements reached with ground handling companies.

The association said several efforts had been made to recover the outstanding payments, but the airline had not met its commitments.

The suspension has affected XEJET’s operations, with reports indicating that some passengers’ checked luggage had to be transferred to another domestic airline after ground handling support was withdrawn.

AGHAN President Olaniyi Adigun and Vice President Bashir Ahmed said other airlines facing similar debts had submitted repayment plans and begun making payments.

They said XEJET had failed to follow through on its own arrangements, prompting the association to implement the suspension.

The ground handlers had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to domestic airlines with outstanding debts, requiring them to pay at least 75 per cent of their obligations or face suspension of services.

AGHAN said XEJET would remain without ground handling services until it settles the debt or reaches an acceptable agreement with the affected companies.

The association also warned that other airlines that fail to honour agreed payment arrangements could face similar action.

The airline had not responded to enquiries from The PUNCH at the time of publication.