By ITOHAN ABARA-LASERIAN

The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has directed its members to withdraw ground handling services from XEJet Airlines over alleged debts estimated at N300 million.

AGHAN President, Mr Olaniyi Adigun, and Vice President, Mr Bashir Ahmed, disclosed this in a joint statement issued on Monday in Lagos.

Adigun said the decision followed XEJet’s alleged failure to honour payment plans agreed with ground handling companies despite repeated efforts to recover outstanding obligations.

He said the withdrawal had reportedly affected XEJet’s operations, with the airline allegedly diverting some passengers’ check-in luggage to another domestic airline.

Adigun said several indigenous airlines had complied with payment arrangements reached with ground handling companies, but XEJet allegedly failed to do so.

He said the association’s members had made several efforts to engage XEJet’s management over the debts without success.

“We decided to direct our members to withdraw services from XEJet Airlines because it has over time failed to meet its payment plans.

“Our members have made every effort to ensure that the airline complied, but its management has been recalcitrant,” Adigun said.

He said the development had placed additional financial pressure on ground handling companies, which rely on service revenue to maintain equipment and improve staff welfare.

“As it stands, the company owes our members about N300 million. Hence, we have instructed our members to withdraw services from the airline.

“This has been complied with 100 per cent,” Adigun said.

He warned that the handlers would take similar action against other airlines that failed to honour agreed payment plans for services rendered.

Adigun, however, acknowledged the operational and financial difficulties confronting businesses across the aviation sector.

He noted that ground handling companies were also exposed to the prevailing economic pressures affecting businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the latest action followed a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by AGHAN to domestic airlines with outstanding debts.

Under the ultimatum, affected airlines were required to settle at least 75 per cent of their outstanding obligations or risk suspension of ground handling services.

The association said the directive was reached at an executive meeting with its members to address growing airline indebtedness to ground handling companies.

The planned suspension was later put on hold after some affected airlines presented payment plans and began steps to settle their outstanding obligations.

As of the time of filing this report, XEJet’s management had yet to respond to the withdrawal notice. (NAN)