XEJet Limited has approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over an alleged breach of confidentiality by the Skyway Aviation Handling Company and claims by the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria that the airline owed about N300 million.
The airline also instituted a separate action against AGHAN and four media organisations over reports published on the alleged indebtedness.
In the suit against SAHCO, XEJet alleged that the ground-handling company breached the confidentiality provisions of their agreement by disclosing details of its account to AGHAN.
The airline said it entered into a standard ground-handling agreement with SAHCO on January 1, 2026, covering operations at the Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Asaba and Warri airports.
It said the agreement required both parties to keep confidential information exchanged in connection with negotiations and the provision of ground-handling services.
XEJet said SAHCO wrote to it on September 4 and 23, 2026, demanding payment of outstanding invoices.
According to the airline, the September 23 letter stipulated September 28 as the deadline for payment or the conclusion of a satisfactory payment arrangement.
However, XEJet alleged that SAHCO withdrew its ground-handling services at about 8am on September 28, before the deadline contained in the letter elapsed.
The airline said it made payments totalling N7 million through two transfers on September 28 and subsequently paid N208.898 million on September 29.
It said the payments brought the total amount paid to SAHCO to N215.898 million.
XEJet alleged that later the same day, AGHAN issued a directive to its members to withdraw ground-handling services from the airline.
The association reportedly based the directive on an allegation that XEJet owed its members about N300 million and had failed to honour agreed payment arrangements.
The statement was subsequently published by four media organisations.
XEJet contended that AGHAN was not a party to its agreement with SAHCO and that it had never consented to the disclosure of information relating to its account.
The airline alleged that the information contained in AGHAN's statement could only have been obtained from SAHCO's invoices, statements of account and other dealings with the airline.
It is asking the court to declare that information concerning its account was confidential and that SAHCO had no contractual right to disclose such information to AGHAN or the media without its consent.
The airline is also seeking a declaration that SAHCO had no contractual right to suspend or withdraw ground-handling services for non-payment, and that the withdrawal of the services on September 28 amounted to a breach of their agreement.
XEJet is claiming N1 billion in general damages for the alleged breach of confidentiality and N100 million for the alleged wrongful withdrawal of ground-handling services.
In the second suit, the airline described the reports published by the four media organisations, based on AGHAN's statement, as false, malicious and defamatory.
XEJet denied owing any other member of AGHAN, insisting that its only outstanding account was with SAHCO.
It maintained that the SAHCO account, which it said stood at N215.898 million, was fully settled through the payments made on September 28 and 29.
The airline also denied entering into or defaulting on any payment plan, saying negotiations with SAHCO were still ongoing when AGHAN released its statement.
According to XEJet, the publications portrayed it as an airline that deliberately refused to pay its debts, failed to honour payment arrangements and was managed by “recalcitrant” individuals.
It further alleged that the reports created the impression that the airline was insolvent, lacked creditworthiness and was incapable of operating its flights.
The airline said the reports prompted its creditors, aircraft lessors and business partners to seek clarification from its management over its financial position and continued operations.
XEJet is demanding N10 billion in general damages for alleged libel and N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages.
It is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to publish a retraction and apology, remove the publications from their online platforms and refrain from further publishing the statements complained of.
The airline is additionally claiming N50 million as legal costs.
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