The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has directed its members to withdraw ground handling services from XEJet Airlines over an outstanding debt estimated at about ₦300 million.
The association said the decision was taken after the airline allegedly failed to honour agreed payment plans despite several efforts by ground handling companies to recover the money owed.
AGHAN President, Olaniyi Adigun, and Vice President, Bashir Ahmed, disclosed this in a statement, noting that several indigenous airlines had complied with payment arrangements agreed with ground handling companies, while XEJet had failed to do so.
According to the association, its members had made repeated efforts to engage the airline and ensure that the outstanding obligations were settled, but those efforts did not yield the desired result.
AGHAN said it would continue to withhold ground handling services from XEJet until the airline settles its outstanding debt.
The association also warned that similar action could be taken against other airlines that fail to honour agreed payment arrangements for services already provided.
The statement said, “We decided to direct our members to withdraw services from XEJet Airlines because it has over time failed to meet up with its payment plans.
“Our members have made every effort to ensure that the airline complied, but its management has been recalcitrant.
“We can’t continue to operate like this. Why are some companies not willing to pay for services rendered to them? This is intentional. It is affecting our members at all cadres.
“We need to increase our equipment while also boosting the welfare of our staff, but we can’t do this when some organisations are not willing to pay for services rendered to them.
“As it stands, the company owes our members about ₦300 million. Hence, we have instructed our members to withdraw services from the airline and this has been complied with 100 per cent.”
The withdrawal of ground handling services could affect the airline’s operations, as such services are essential for activities including passenger and baggage handling, aircraft turnaround support and other airport-related operations.
