The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that Max Air refunded more than ₦182 million to 956 passengers in the second quarter of 2026, while urging the airline to speed up the processing of refund requests in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR) 2023.
In a statement posted on its verified X account, the regulator said the domestic carrier paid a total of ₦182,099,018.88 to affected passengers between April and June 2026, acknowledging the effort as part of its ongoing drive to strengthen consumer protection in the aviation sector.
According to the NCAA, although the refunds represent a positive step towards compliance with passenger rights regulations, airlines are expected to resolve valid refund claims more promptly in accordance with Part 19 of the NCAR 2023, which outlines the rights of passengers and the obligations of air operators.
“In the second quarter of 2026 (April, May and June), domestic operator Max Air paid ticket refunds totalling ₦182,099,018.88 to 956 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 Authority stated.
The regulator reaffirmed its commitment to protecting air travellers by ensuring airlines comply with consumer protection provisions governing refunds, delays, cancellations and compensation. It stressed that timely settlement of legitimate refund claims remains a key requirement for improving passenger confidence and service delivery across Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The latest disclosure forms part of the NCAA’s broader efforts to strengthen oversight of airline performance and enforce compliance with passenger rights regulations. In recent months, the Authority has intensified monitoring of domestic operators, publishing operational performance reports and warning airlines that fail to meet regulatory obligations.
Max Air has previously featured in the NCAA’s operational performance assessments. In its review of domestic airline operations, the Authority identified the carrier among operators with high rates of delays and cancellations, warning that continued violations of consumer protection rules could attract regulatory sanctions.
The NCAA encouraged passengers experiencing delayed refunds or other violations of their rights to report such cases through its official complaint channels, assuring the travelling public that it will continue to hold airlines accountable and promote higher standards of service across the sector.
