Nigeria’s Ground Handlers Cut Off XEJet Airlines Over US$226,000 Debt
Nigeria · EXPAT
Key Facts
- —The country Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, with about 238 million people and an economy of roughly US$290 billion, close to Finland’s.
- —Why it matters Road trips between Nigerian cities are long, so many business travellers fly between Lagos, Abuja and regional capitals on domestic airlines.
- —Why now Ground handlers, the firms that load bags and service aircraft, gave indebted airlines seven days in September to pay at least 75% of arrears.
- —What happened On Monday, 28 September 2026, the handlers’ association withdrew all services from XEJet Airlines over a debt of about US$226,000.
- —Who is involved The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), led by president Olaniyi Adigun, and XEJet, a Nigerian domestic carrier.
- —What it means for you Anyone booked on XEJet should call the airline before travelling; some passengers’ bags were moved to another domestic carrier on Monday.
- —Still open XEJet had not responded publicly by Tuesday, and no date has been set for services to resume.
Nigeria’s ground handling firms have stopped loading bags and servicing aircraft for XEJet Airlines over an unpaid bill of about US$226,000.
Nigeria’s ground handlers cut off XEJet Airlines on Monday, 28 September 2026. The XEJet ground handling suspension, which hit check-in and baggage services, was still in force on Tuesday.
Ground handlers are the companies that load luggage, tow aircraft and run ramp equipment. Their trade body, the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), says XEJet owes its members about N300 million (about US$226,000).
What triggered the suspension
AGHAN said XEJet had repeatedly failed to keep to agreed repayment plans. The association’s president, Olaniyi Adigun, and vice president, Bashir Ahmed, signed the statement announcing the withdrawal.
“We have instructed our members to withdraw services from the airline,” the statement said, according to Punch and BusinessDay. It added that members had complied “100 per cent”.
The association said several other domestic airlines had kept to agreed repayment schedules. XEJet, in AGHAN’s words, had a management that was “recalcitrant”.
Earlier in September, AGHAN gave indebted airlines seven days to pay at least 75% of what they owed. It paused that threat after some carriers submitted payment plans, but says XEJet then failed to meet its terms.
How the service withdrawal hit passengers
Punch and BusinessDay reported that XEJet’s operations were disrupted on Monday, including baggage handling. Some passengers’ checked luggage was transferred to another domestic airline for processing.
For expatriates and business travellers, the practical risk sits at the check-in counter. A passenger with a checked bag may find XEJet cannot process it in the usual way.
Ground handling covers the movement of bags, cargo loading and ramp services that ready an aircraft for departure. Without it, an airline must borrow capacity from rivals or cut services.
Punch said calls and messages to XEJet’s spokesperson, Juliet Atikpekpe, went unanswered. No public response from the airline had appeared by Tuesday, 29 September.
The money and power stakes in Nigerian aviation
AGHAN said its members face rising costs for equipment, staff and other operations. It argued they cannot keep serving airlines that do not pay for work already done.
“We can’t continue to operate like this,” the statement said. The association described the non-payment as “intentional” and said it was hurting members “at all cadres”.
Access to ground support gives handlers real leverage in Nigeria’s aviation market. Airlines depend on their crews and equipment for every turnaround between flights.
Who gains and who loses
Ground handling companies gain a stronger hand in recovering unpaid bills. Airlines that settled or agreed timelines avoid the disruption XEJet now faces.
XEJet risks losing passengers who need reliable baggage service. Travellers already booked on the airline face uncertainty until the dispute is settled.
AGHAN warned that other indebted airlines could face the same sanction. That suggests handlers are less willing to extend credit to carriers across the sector.
The regional read-through for West Africa
Nigeria has West Africa’s largest population and economy, and Lagos and Abuja are the region’s busiest business destinations. Disruption at Nigerian airports can affect connecting trips and meeting schedules.
The dispute is a domestic commercial row, not a political one. It still shows how quickly unpaid bills can turn into service cuts for travellers in a key African economy.
This fits a broader pattern of financial strain across African aviation. The Africa: The New Scramble pillar tracks how such pressures shape the continent’s connectivity.
What to watch next
AGHAN said its members will withhold services until XEJet settles its debt or reaches a satisfactory arrangement. No date for a restart had been announced by Tuesday.
Travellers should check with XEJet before heading to the airport. Until the XEJet ground handling dispute is settled, baggage handling may stay disrupted.
Other airlines on AGHAN’s list are also in view. If they miss their agreed payments, the association says, they could face the same full withdrawal.
Figures in US dollars use 1,329 naira to the dollar, the open.er-api.com rate on 29 September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did ground handlers withdraw services from XEJet Airlines?
AGHAN, the association of Nigeria’s ground handling firms, said XEJet owed its members about N300 million (about US$226,000). It said the airline repeatedly failed to keep to agreed repayment plans.
When did the XEJet ground handling suspension start?
The suspension began on Monday, 28 September 2026. It was still in force on Tuesday, and no date for resuming services had been announced.
How does the suspension affect passengers flying XEJet?
It disrupted baggage handling and check-in, and some passengers’ checked luggage was moved to another domestic airline. Travellers should contact XEJet before going to the airport.
Connected Coverage
Sources
- Punch: Ground handlers suspend airline’s services over debt
- BusinessDay: Ground handlers paralyse XEJet Airlines operations
- The Guardian Nigeria: Ground handlers withdraw services from XEJet
- World Bank: Nigeria population and GDP data
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
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