The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Max Air’s domestic flight operations for three months following a landing incident involving the airline’s aircraft in Kano on Tuesday night.
The affected aircraft, a Boeing 737-400 (B734) with registration 5N-MBD, suffered a tyre burst while landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport at 10:51 PM on January 28, 2025. Although all 53 passengers on board were safely evacuated, the incident led to a temporary closure of the runway, which was reopened by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at 8:00 AM on Wednesday.
This marks the third safety incident involving a Max Air aircraft in the past three months, prompting concerns about the airline’s safety standards.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine its exact cause. Meanwhile, the NCAA, in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the regulatory body would provide necessary support to the NSIB.
“It must be stated that the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation,” Achimugu said.
However, pending the outcome of the probe, Max Air has been directed to suspend its domestic operations for three months, effective midnight on January 31, 2025.
During the suspension period, the NCAA will conduct a thorough safety and economic audit of Max Air to assess its operational and financial viability.
“The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations,” Achimugu stated.
Additionally, the economic audit will evaluate the financial health of the airline to ensure it can sustain safe flight operations.
The NCAA acknowledged the inconvenience the suspension might cause Max Air’s customers but emphasized that passenger safety remains paramount.
“The resumption of Max Air’s domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit. The NCAA appeals for patience and understanding as we prioritize the protection of passenger rights,” the statement added.
Recent Max Air Incidents
This latest development follows a series of safety concerns involving Max Air, including: Boeing 747 tyre loss incident at Yola Airport during takeoff; Mid-air technical issues on a domestic flight.
As investigations continue, aviation authorities and industry experts are closely monitoring Max Air’s compliance with safety regulations before any decision on its resumption of flights is made.
