JUST IN: FG Suspends Max Air Operations Following Kano Incident

The Federal Government has suspended Max Air operations after a recent incident in Kano, citing safety concerns. Investigations into the airline’s compliance are underway.

The Federal Government, via the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has halted Max Air’s domestic flight operations following a tyre burst incident involving one of its aircraft in Kano.

The Boeing 737-400, registered as 5N-MBD, suffered a tire burst during its landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport around 10:51 p.m. on January 28, 2025.

Luckily, all 53 passengers on the aircraft were safely evacuated with no injuries. However, the plane was temporarily grounded, leading to disruptions at the airport. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) acted quickly to clear the runway, which reopened around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has launched an investigation into the incident, marking the third one involving Max Air in three months.

NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the suspension in a statement released on Wednesday. He mentioned that the regulatory body would aid NSIB’s investigation while also carrying out its own evaluation of the airline.

“The exact cause(s) of this incident will only be determined after the NSIB completes its investigation,” Achimugu stated.

He mentioned that prior to the recent incident, the NCAA had been conducting organizational risk assessments for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air.

He stated, “Due to this incident, Max Air will suspend its domestic flight operations for three months starting from midnight on January 31, 2025, to conduct an internal review of its operations.”

During the suspension period, the NCAA will carry out a thorough safety and financial evaluation of the airline.

“The safety audit will include a thorough re-evaluation of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft in accordance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations,” Achimugu clarified.

He mentioned that the economic audit would evaluate the airline’s financial status to ensure it can maintain safe flight operations.

“The restart of Max Air’s domestic flights will be contingent upon the successful conclusion of this audit,” he mentioned.

While recognizing the possible inconvenience to passengers, the NCAA assured the public that safety continued to be its foremost concern.

“The NCAA acknowledges the inconvenience this decision may pose for Max Air’s prospective passengers. Nonetheless, passenger safety and well-being remain our top priorities. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to safeguard passenger rights,” the statement further mentioned.