The Federal Government (FG) has suspended Max Air’s domestic flight operations for three months, following a tyre burst incident involving one of its aircraft at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday night, January 28.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-400 with registration 5N-MBD, suffered the malfunction while landing at 10:51 p.m. Although all 53 passengers on board were safely evacuated, the incident led to a temporary closure of the runway, which was later reopened by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 29.
Regulatory Actions and Investigations
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the suspension, citing the need for a comprehensive safety and economic audit of the airline. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has also launched an investigation into the incident.
According to Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the specific cause of the incident will only be determined after the NSIB’s findings. He further explained that the NCAA had already been conducting an organizational risk assessment of Max Air before this latest incident.
“However, as a result of this incident, Max Air is suspending its domestic flight operations for three months, effective midnight, January 31, 2025, to allow for an internal appraisal of its operations by its management,” Achimugu stated.
NCAA’s Safety and Economic Audit
During the three-month suspension, the NCAA will conduct:
- A thorough safety audit – reviewing Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft as per Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Part 1.3.3.3(b)).
- An economic audit – assessing the airline’s financial health to ensure it can sustain safe operations.
The resumption of Max Air’s flights will depend on the satisfactory completion of these audits.
Passenger Safety Comes First
The NCAA acknowledged the inconvenience the suspension may cause but emphasized that passenger safety is the top priority.
“The NCAA appeals for patience and understanding while it ensures the protection of passenger rights,” the statement concluded.
This marks the third incident involving Max Air in three months, raising concerns about the airline’s operational safety.
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