Max Air Processes ₦182 Million in Refunds for 956 Passengers
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that domestic airline Max Air paid out ₦182,099,018.88 in ticket refunds to 956 passengers during the second quarter of 2026, covering April, May, and June. The regulator shared the figures on Tuesday, July 22, via its official X account, @NigeriaCAA.
NCAA Acknowledges Payments but Demands Faster Resolution
While acknowledging the refunds, the NCAA expressed concern over the pace of processing and called for quicker resolution of passenger claims. The authority cited Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 as the binding standard airlines must follow when handling such cases. In its post, the NCAA stated: 'In the second quarter of 2026 (April, May, June), domestic operator, Max Air, paid out ticket refunds to the tune of 182,099,018.88 naira, to nine hundred and fifty-six passengers. While this is appreciated and acknowledged, we look forward to quicker resolution of passenger refund claims in line with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.'
Regulator Reaffirms Commitment to Passenger Rights
The NCAA added that it 'remains committed to protecting the rights and responsibilities of passengers, operators, and all stakeholders.' The disclosure highlights how domestic carriers handle compensation obligations, particularly for flight cancellations and delays, an issue the NCAA has previously addressed. The authority had earlier warned airlines and issued ultimatums over refunding passengers affected by cancellations and delays.
Broader Enforcement Across Nigerian Airlines
Max Air is not the only carrier to face scrutiny over passenger payments. The NCAA had previously ordered Air Peace, Max Air, and United Nigeria Airlines to refund passengers wrongfully charged VAT on their tickets. This directive underscores the regulator's broader efforts to enforce financial accountability across the sector. The latest figures suggest that while airlines are gradually meeting some obligations, the NCAA wants faster turnaround times to better protect air travelers in Nigeria.
NCAA Strengthens Oversight of Domestic Airlines
The announcement comes as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority strengthens enforcement of passenger protection regulations to improve service quality and rebuild traveler confidence. As part of this effort, the regulator has increased monitoring of domestic airlines by releasing operational performance reports and cautioning carriers that fail to meet consumer protection obligations. On December 24, 2025, the NCAA ranked Max Air as the domestic airline with the second-highest number of flight delays during the review period, behind Air Peace. Following that report, the authority warned that any airline found breaching regulations on passenger refunds, flight disruptions, or compensation could face regulatory sanctions.
