Max Air refunds N182 million to 956 passengers after NCAA warning
By Aboki Forex —
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that domestic airline Max Air paid out over N182 million in ticket refunds to 956 passengers between April and June 2026. The regulator acknowledged the payments but warned that the airline must speed up its processing of refund claims.
The NCAA shared the figures on Tuesday, July 22, via its official X account, @NigeriaCAA. The refund total was N182,099,018.88, covering the second quarter of 2026.
NCAA demands faster refund processing
In its statement, the NCAA said it expected Max Air to handle passenger refund claims more quickly. The regulator cited Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 as the binding standard for airlines.
The authority posted: “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.”
The NCAA added that it “remains committed to protecting the rights and responsibilities of passengers, operators, and all stakeholders.”
Broader crackdown on domestic airlines
The disclosure is part of the NCAA’s wider push to hold domestic airlines accountable for how they treat passengers. The regulator had previously issued warnings and ultimatums over refunds for flight cancellations and delays.
Max Air is not the only carrier under scrutiny. The NCAA earlier ordered Air Peace, Max Air, and United Nigeria Airlines to refund passengers who were wrongfully charged VAT on their tickets. That directive underlined the regulator’s efforts to enforce financial accountability across the sector.
On December 24, 2025, the NCAA ranked Max Air as the domestic airline with the second-highest number of flight delays, behind Air Peace. Following that report, the authority warned that any airline breaching regulations on refunds, flight disruptions, or compensation could face sanctions.
What this means for passengers and the naira
The NCAA is strengthening enforcement of passenger protection regulations to improve service quality and rebuild traveller confidence. The regulator has increased monitoring of domestic airlines by releasing operational performance reports and cautioning carriers that fail to meet consumer protection obligations.
For Nigerian air travellers, the message is clear: airlines must now move faster to return money owed for cancelled or delayed flights. The pressure on carriers to comply could mean fewer delays in refund processing going forward, though enforcement remains the key test.