Max Air will be suspending its domestic flight operations for three months, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced.
Gatekeepers News reports that this decision will take effect from midnight on January 31, 2025, and is intended to allow the airline’s management to conduct an internal appraisal of its operations.
The announcement follows an incident where an aircraft lost its landing gear tire during landing on Tuesday evening.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Max Air reassured the public that the situation was handled professionally, emphasizing that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated and that there were no reported injuries.
Achimugu confirmed that the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has already launched an investigation into the incident, noting that the specific cause of the occurrence can only be determined after the investigation is completed.
“It is instructive to note that the NCAA had commenced organizational risk profiles for each scheduled operator, including Max Air, which is nearing its conclusion,” Achimugu said.
“However, 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.”
According to the director, the safety audit will involve a reassessment of Max Air’s organisational structure, operational procedures, personnel, and aircraft, in line with Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.
He added that the economic audit will focus on evaluating the airline’s financial health to ensure its ability to maintain safe flight operations.
“The resumption of Max Air’s domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit,” he said.
Achimugu acknowledged the potential inconvenience to passengers but stressed that safety remains the top priority.
