The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operations of Xejet Airlines over alleged fake insurance certificates for its Embraer 145 aircraft.

A letter signed by NCAA  Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, stated that the aircraft insurance documents did not emanate from Consolidated Hallmark Insurance as claimed by the airline. 

The letter dated August 30, 2023, with ref numbered NCAA/DGCAIGC/8/16/628, addressed to the Accountable Manager XeJet Limited, also copied the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

Titled, ‘Notice of Suspension of the Air Transport License (ATL) and Air Operators Certificate (AOC) EXJETJAOC/01-22/00’, the letter reads: “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is in receipt of the response to our letter of verification from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) regarding your Certificate of insurance with No.40122093300118-22E in respect of your Embraer 145; the authenticity of your insurance documents and that the documents did not emanate from Consolidated Hallmark Insurance as presented to the Authority.

“In view of above, the Authority is investigating the matter and hereby suspends your Air Operators Certificate (A0C) with certificate No XEIETIA0C/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 upon the above, the operations of the underlisted aircraft are suspended: 5N-BZM Embraer EMB-145LR with Serial No. 14500842, 5N-BZL Embraer S.A EMB-145MP with Serial No. 145360, 5N-BZN Embraer EMB-145MP with Serial No. 1450056, 5N-XEL Bombardier INC. CL-600-2B19 (CRJ 200) Serial No. 7975.

“You are therefore required to return the ATL and AOC to the office of the Chairman Flight Standard Group upon receipt of this letter.”