JUST IN: FG Suspends Max Air for Three Months After Kano Incident

The Federal Government has suspended Max Air’s domestic operations for three months following a landing incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday night. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced the decision, citing the need for a comprehensive safety and economic audit of the airline.

The incident involved a Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registered as 5N-MBD, which suffered a tyre burst upon landing at about 10:51 p.m. Although all 53 passengers were safely evacuated, the aircraft’s presence temporarily shut down the runway. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reopened it by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

This marks the third incident involving Max Air in three months, prompting heightened regulatory scrutiny. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an inquiry into the occurrence, while the NCAA has pledged full support for the investigation.

NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the suspension in a statement. He emphasized that the root cause of the incident would only be determined after the NSIB’s investigation. Achimugu also noted that the NCAA had been conducting risk assessments for all scheduled operators, including Max Air, before the latest event.

During the three-month suspension, effective from midnight on January 31, 2025, Max Air’s management will conduct an internal appraisal of its operations. Simultaneously, the NCAA will carry out a safety audit to reassess the airline’s procedures, personnel, and fleet, as outlined in Nigeria’s aviation regulations. Additionally, an economic audit will evaluate the financial health of the airline to ensure its ability to maintain safe flight operations.

The NCAA stated that Max Air would only be allowed to resume operations once it successfully meets all audit requirements. While acknowledging the inconvenience to passengers, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing safety and urged the public to remain patient as necessary regulatory measures are enforced.