NCAA suspends Xe Jet’s operating licence over ‘inability to authenticate insurance documents’

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the air operator certificate (AOC) and air transport licence (AOL) of XEJET over the “inability to authenticate ” the airline’s insurance documents.

The suspension took effect immediately, according to a letter dated August 30, 2023, signed by Musa Nuhu, director-general of NCAA.

The authority said the suspension followed the inability of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to verify the authenticity of the aircraft insurance document.

In the letter, titled ‘Notice of Suspension Of Air Transport Licence NCAA/ATR1/ATK153 and Air Operators Certificate EXJET/AOC/01-22/001″,  the agency listed four aircraft that are suspended pending the conclusion of its investigation. 

“In receipt of the response to our letter of verification from the NAICOM regarding your certificate of insurance with No. 40122093300118-22B in respect of your Embraer 145; Reg.No (5N-BZM) with Serial No. 14500842, indicating that they are unable to confirm the authenticity of your insurance documents,” the letter reads.

“And that the documents did not emanate from consolidated hallmark insurance as presented to the authority.

“In view of the above, the authority is investigating the matter and hereby suspends your ATL with licence No. NCAA/ATR1/ATK153 and AOC with certificate No. XEJET/AOC/01-22/001 for safety considerations and public interest in accordance with Section 59 (7) of the Civil Aviation Act with immediate effect pending the conclusion of our investigation.

“Consequent to the above, the operations of the under-listed aircraft are suspended. 1.N-BZM EMBRAER EMB-145LR with Senal No. 14500842; 2. 5N-BZL EMBRAER S.A EMB-145MP with Serial No. 145360; 3. 5N-BZN EMBRAER EMB-145MP with Serial No. 1450056; 4. 5N-XEL BOMBARDIER INC. CL-600-2B19 (CRJ 200) Serial No. 7975.”

The agency, therefore, directed the required return of the ATL and AOC to the office of the chairman flight standard group upon receipt of this letter.

NCAA also copied the minister of aviation and aerospace development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in the letter.