The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the domestic operations of Max Air for three months and begun safety and economic audits of the carrier.
Spokesman for the NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu who disclosed this in a statement said the suspension takes effect from January 31, 2025.
He said the resumption of the airline’s domestic flights “will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of the audit.”
The NCAA spokesman explained that the action followed an incident involving Max Air B734 aircraft marked 5N-MBD, which experienced a nose wheel landing gear collapse and a rear tyre burst while landing on Runway 06/24 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
The aircraft which took off from the Lagos Airport had 53 air passengers and six crew members on board who were all evacuated safely.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) refers to the incident involving Max Air B734 aircraft with registration marks 5N-MBD, on landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Tuesday, 28th, January2025 at about 2251 hours.
“As a result of this incident, Max Air is suspending its domestic flight operations for a period of three months with effect from midnight, 31st January, 2025, to allow for an internal appraisal of its operations by its management.
“During this 3-month period, the NCAA will conduct a thorough safety and economic audit on Max Air.
“The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air’s organisation, procedures, personnel and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of the airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operations,” the statement said.
Achimugu stated that the NCAA was aware of the inconvenience the action may cause intending passengers of Max Air.
“However, the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount. Thus, NCAA appeals for patience and understanding while it ensures the protection of passenger rights,” he said.
Statutorily, Achimugu said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had initiated investigation into the occurrence, adding that “NCAA will provide the required support…in this regard.”
He pointed out that the specific cause(s) of the incident “can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation.”
