Max Air Resumes Domestic Flights After Serving Three-Month Suspension Over Safety Concerns
During the three-month suspension period, NCAA launched an extensive investigation into Max Air’s operations, focusing on both technical and financial stability.
After a period of three months of suspension following a series of safety incidents, Max Air is set to resume its domestic operations.
This comes after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) gave the airline the green light following what it described as a “thorough safety and economic audit.”
In a press statement on Monday, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the airline had successfully undergone rigorous inspections.
“Following the successful completion of an economic and safety audit, the Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved for Max Air to resume its domestic flight operations,” Achimugu stated.
He recalled that Max Air had “voluntarily suspended its domestic operations for 90 days after a series of incidents on its flights.” The decision, which took effect from midnight on January 31, 2025, was reportedly welcomed by NCAA as part of broader efforts to ensure air safety in Nigeria.
During the three-month suspension period, NCAA launched an extensive investigation into Max Air’s operations, focusing on both technical and financial stability.
“The safety audit involved a comprehensive re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft, in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023. This audit took place from 26th to 28th February 2025,” Achimugu revealed.
With the audit confirming the airline’s “capacity to sustain safe flight operations,” NCAA has now authorized Max Air to resume domestic services, effective from midnight on March 17, 2025.
However, the agency made it clear that the airline will remain under tight scrutiny.
“The NCAA will continue to monitor Max Air closely through an enhanced surveillance program to ensure strict compliance with its regulations,” Achimugu added.
He reaffirmed NCAA’s commitment to ensuring that all airlines “adhere to the highest safety standards for the continued well-being of the aviation industry.”
Max Air’s woes began after a tyre burst incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on January 28, 2025. The incident, involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft (5N-MBD), occurred at 10:51 PM while landing.
Fortunately, all 53 passengers onboard were safely evacuated, but the aircraft was temporarily grounded, leading to the closure of the runway until 8:00 AM the following morning.
This marked the third incident involving Max Air in just three months. Amid growing concerns over the airline’s safety record, the NCAA swiftly moved to suspend its domestic operations on January 31.
At the time, Achimugu stated that “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.”
While NCAA’s safety audit was ongoing, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) also launched a probe to determine the exact cause of the Kano incident.
Max Air’s safety concerns have long been a subject of scrutiny. SaharaReporters previously reported that, in 2023, the airline faced a similar emergency involving 144 passengers and six crew members.
