The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that Max Air will suspend its domestic flight operations for three months, starting midnight on January 31, 2025. This temporary suspension will allow the airline’s management to conduct an internal operational review following a recent incident.
This decision follows an incident on January 28, 2025, when a Max Air aircraft (registration: 5N-MBD) suffered a tyre burst upon landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, at approximately 10:51 pm.
According to Michael Achimugu, Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the NCAA, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an official investigation into the incident to determine its cause. During the three-month suspension, the NCAA will conduct a rigorous safety and economic audit of Max Air.
The safety audit will involve a re-evaluation of the airline’s organizational structure, operational procedures, personnel, and fleet, as outlined in Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. Meanwhile, the economic audit will assess the financial stability of the airline to ensure it can sustain safe flight operations. The airline’s ability to resume domestic flights will depend on the successful completion of this audit, Achimugu stated.
The NCAA has pledged full support to the NSIB during its investigation, emphasizing that the root cause of the incident will only be determined once the probe is completed. Additionally, Achimugu highlighted that the NCAA has already initiated organizational risk assessments for all scheduled operators, including Max Air, and this evaluation is almost completed.
While acknowledging the inconvenience the suspension may cause to passengers, the NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing passenger safety and operational integrity within Nigeria’s aviation sector. “The safety and well-being of passengers is paramount. We appeal for patience and understanding as we take necessary steps to protect passenger rights and uphold aviation safety standards,” Achimugu stated.
