Aviation News

Domestic airline, Max Air, paid ₦182,099,018.88 in ticket refunds to 956 passengers during the second quarter of 2026, according to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The refunds, covering the three-month period between April and June 2026, represent a significant financial response to passenger refund claims handled by the airline during the quarter. The NCAA disclosed the figure in a statement by Michael Achimugu, Director, Consumer Protection and Public Relations, while acknowledging the refunds made by the airline. However, the regulatory authority said it expects Max Air and other domestic operators to resolve passenger refund claims more quickly and in accordance with existing aviation regulations. According to Achimugu who commented on his official ‘X’ account, the NCAA appreciates and acknowledges the refunds paid by Max Air to the affected passengers. “While this is appreciated and acknowledged, we look forward to quicker resolution of passenger refund claims in line with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023,” he said. The statement places the refund payments within the wider framework of Nigeria’s aviation consumer protection regime. For passengers, ticket refunds are a critical part of the relationship between airlines and their customers, particularly when flights are cancelled, delayed, rescheduled or otherwise disrupted. Therefore, while the payment demonstrates that refunds are being processed, the NCAA’s position suggests that the speed at which passengers receive refunds remains an important regulatory concern. The figure also highlights the substantial financial value attached to passenger refund obligations within Nigeria’s domestic aviation market. The NCAA’s call for faster resolution is significant because passengers often face financial pressure when travel plans are disrupted. A delayed refund can leave affected travellers waiting for money they may need to make alternative travel arrangements, cover accommodation costs or manage other expenses arising from disrupted journeys. Consequently, the regulator’s emphasis on quicker claims resolution signals a continued focus on the timeliness of passenger redress, rather than refunds being treated solely as an eventual financial obligation. The NCAA’s reference to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 also reinforces the regulatory framework governing consumer protection within the Nigerian aviation sector. The authority is effectively reminding operators that passenger rights must be respected alongside the operational and commercial realities of running an airline. The ₦182,099,018.88 paid to 956 passengers provides an indication of the scale of financial commitments airlines may face when dealing with passenger refund obligations. Meanwhile, the number of passengers affected shows that refund issues are not isolated occurrences within the sector. For airlines, timely refunds can help strengthen passenger confidence and reduce the potential for prolonged disputes. For passengers, an efficient refund process provides greater certainty when flights are cancelled or travel arrangements change unexpectedly. The NCAA said its position extends beyond the interests of passengers alone. “The NCAA remains committed to protecting the rights and responsibilities of passengers, operators, and all stakeholders,” Achimugu stated. The declaration reflects the regulator’s broader approach to consumer protection, which seeks to balance passenger rights with the responsibilities of airlines and other aviation stakeholders. This is particularly important in a sector where airlines must manage complex operational challenges while passengers expect reliable services and effective remedies when those services are disrupted. The NCAA’s position therefore underscores the need for a transparent and responsive system in which passengers can pursue legitimate refund claims and airlines can resolve those claims within the applicable regulatory framework. While the NCAA has acknowledged Max Air’s payment to 956 passengers, its message is clear: refunds must not only be paid; passenger claims should also be resolved promptly and in line with the applicable regulations. The development could further strengthen attention on airline consumer protection and the enforcement of passenger rights across Nigeria’s aviation industry. The NCAA’s latest statement therefore combines recognition of progress with a renewed call for faster action, putting passenger redress firmly at the centre of its consumer protection agenda.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has concluded plans to deploy a biometric identity verification system, known as V-Pass, across the nation’s domestic airports. This initiative is aimed at strengthening aviation security, reducing passenger processing time and eliminating dependence on physical identity documents. A statement issued yesterday by FAAN‘s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said the new facial recognition platform, developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, would enable passengers to verify their identities through biometric authentication, allowing them seamless access through airport security checkpoints and boarding gates. According to him, the initiative formed the focus of a strategic meeting between FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited, where both organisations reviewed deployment plans, security safeguards and measures to improve passenger experience. The statement hinted that the authority centred on ensuring the successful rollout of the digital platform while maintaining high security standards. The statement quoted the Director of Commercial and Business Development, FAAN, Adebola Agunbiade as describing the V-Pass as another milestone in the authority’s ongoing digital transformation programme. According to her, the platform indicated FAAN’s commitment to deploying innovative technology that enhances passenger facilitation while reinforcing aviation security across domestic airports. She assured that the system would provide every traveller with a secure digital identity through a one-time enrolment process. Under the arrangement, Nigerian passengers would register using their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside facial biometric capture, while foreign travellers would enroll with their passports through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) supported by biometric authentication, the statement added. FAAN said the system would verify passenger identities before they gain access to restricted airport areas and once again before boarding their flights. The agency noted that the dual-verification process was designed to prevent identity fraud, impersonation and unauthorised access to airport facilities, while giving security agencies greater confidence in passenger authentication. Passengers would be able to complete the verification process either through self-service kiosks or with assistance from trained FAAN personnel. The deployment would also include electronic gates to automate access into controlled areas, reduce queues and improve passenger movement across airport terminals. According to the developers, first-time registration is expected to take about one minute, while subsequent biometric verification would take less than 30 seconds. Apart from passenger processing, the V-Pass platform would also provide airlines with secure digital access to flight schedules, passenger manifests and boarding statistics.

ASKY Airlines has expanded its fleet with the delivery of two new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, boosting its capacity and strengthening regional connectivity across Africa. The aircraft arrived in Lomé earlier this month, increasing ASKY’s fleet to 17 aircraft, including eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s, making it one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the region. Chief Executive Officer, Esayas Woldemariam Hailu, says the new aircraft will improve schedule reliability, support the opening of new routes and enhance passenger experience. The expansion also paves the way for ASKY’s new direct Lomé–Kano service, scheduled to begin on August 5, further promoting trade and travel within West Africa. Togo’s Minister of Transport, Comla Kadje, says the fleet expansion supports the country’s ambition to position Lomé as West Africa’s leading aviation hub while advancing regional integration and economic growth.

Skyway Aviation Handling Company, SAHCO, has become the first aviation ground handling company in Nigeria to deploy EVAC+CHAIR emergency evacuation chairs, strengthening safety and support for passengers with reduced mobility. The specialized equipment is designed to help trained personnel safely assist passengers during aircraft boarding, disembarkation and emergency evacuations, using a gravity and friction control system that allows movement on stairways without heavy lifting. Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, says the investment reflects SAHCO’s commitment to making air travel safer, more accessible and more comfortable for every passenger. She adds that the company will continue investing in modern equipment and innovative solutions to improve safety, operational efficiency and customer experience. The company says the acquisition reinforces its commitment to international best practices and builds on previous investments, including the deployment of advanced explosive trace detection technology in 2025. SAHCO adds that its operations across all commercially operated airports in Nigeria position it to provide consistent, world-class ground handling services to airline partners nationwide.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has banned an American pilot involved in a recent aviation incident at Asaba Airport from flying in Nigeria’s airspace. The authority also suspended the aircraft’s First Officer while investigations continue. The incident happened on June 10, 2026, when a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A aircraft operated by VMO Aero Limited reportedly landed on an unfinished roadway instead of the runway at Asaba Airport. Speaking during the Airport Business Summit in Lagos, NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, said the agency had taken enforcement action after receiving the case from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). According to Najomo, the pilot in command has been removed from flight duties in Nigeria and is no longer allowed to operate in the country’s airspace. He added that the aircraft has been grounded and its Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) suspended. Najomo explained that while the NSIB handled the initial safety investigation, the NCAA is now conducting its own regulatory investigation to determine whether aviation rules were violated. He also disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has joined the investigation because of the seriousness of the incident. He said the aircraft will remain grounded and the pilots suspended until the investigations are completed. Najomo noted that investigators would examine all possible factors that may have contributed to the incident. He assured stakeholders and the travelling public that the NCAA would carry out a thorough and transparent investigation and take appropriate action based on its findings. Speaking on the Airport Business Summit, Najomo described the event as an important platform for discussing challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector. He said the NCAA would also address concerns raised by operators about monopoly and anti-competitive practices in the industry. According to him, the authority remains committed to ensuring fair competition, protecting passengers, supporting airline sustainability and preventing excessive charges across the aviation sector. The incident sparked widespread concern within the aviation industry after reports suggested that the flight crew mistook a roadway for the airport runway while landing. The NSIB had earlier launched a safety investigation to determine the cause of the occurrence in line with international aviation standards.