Xejet, a business travel start-up based in Lagos, Nigeria, has been forced to suspend its air transport license (ATL) and air operator's certificate (AOC) following queries about the authenticity of insurance documents for one of its aircraft. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has recently suspended Xejet's operations and grounded its fleet pending an investigation into the matter. Xejet's CEO, Emmanuel Iza, has assured that the necessary evidence of compliance has been provided and expects the suspension to be lifted soon.
Nigeria's aviation industry is facing a period of upheaval as Xejet, a Lagos-based business travel start-up, finds itself in the midst of a licensing and certification controversy. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently suspended Xejet's air transport license (ATL) and air operator's certificate (AOC) after questioning the authenticity of insurance documents for one of the aircraft under Xejet's management.
The aircraft in question is the EMB-145LR, registered as 5N-BZM (msn 14500842), which Xejet had sold last year to Kanem Air. As Kanem Air is still in the process of acquiring its AOC, Xejet had temporarily kept the aircraft on its own AOC. The suspension of Xejet's ATL and AOC came after the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) raised concerns regarding the authenticity of the insurance documents, which were not issued by Consolidated Hallmark Insurance as claimed.
A letter from the NCAA to Xejet, published by The Sun newspaper in Nigeria, explained that the suspension was enacted for "safety considerations and public interest." The NCAA's investigation into the matter is ongoing, and the grounding of Xejet's fleet is a precautionary measure while the investigation is being conducted.
Emmanuel Iza, the CEO of Xejet, confirmed the receipt of the letter and stated that the necessary evidence of compliance has been provided to the NCAA. He expressed confidence that the suspension would be lifted within the next day or so, allowing Xejet to resume its operations.
For Xejet, the suspension is a significant setback as the company had recently obtained its certification for non-scheduled charter operations throughout Africa earlier this year. The start-up had been positioning itself to serve the growing demand for business travel in the region, particularly among executives and entrepreneurs who require flexible and efficient travel options.
The African aviation industry had been anticipating the entry of Xejet as a new player in the market, with its focus on providing high-quality and reliable business travel services. However, the current suspension has cast a shadow on Xejet's operations and reputation, leading to concerns among potential customers.
In the wake of this incident, the Nigerian aviation authorities are likely to tighten their scrutiny of insurance documents and compliance within the industry. Airlines and operators will need to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of their insurance certificates to avoid similar regulatory actions in the future.
The suspension of Xejet's operations highlights the need for transparency and compliance in the aviation sector. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to regulatory standards to maintain trust and confidence in the industry.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-01 News
More detailed, more comprehensive, fresher news, please visit OOO NEWS.
