Nigeria’s domestic carrier, Max Air, is set to initiate refunds for hundreds of booked passengers following the suspension of its operations, which takes effect tomorrow.
The suspension, announced by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), comes after a tyre burst incident involving a Max Air Boeing aircraft (5N-MBD) on Tuesday night at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano. The NCAA has grounded the airline for 90 days to conduct an audit of its operations amid growing safety concerns.
Max Air has faced multiple operational setbacks in recent months. In December 2024, Flight VM1623 from Maiduguri to Abuja made an emergency air return due to engine abnormalities. Earlier in July 2024, another aircraft suffered a tyre burst while taking off from Kano to Yola, stranding over 100 passengers.
The latest incident on Tuesday night involved an aircraft flying from Lagos to Kano with 53 passengers and six crew members. According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), a loud bang was heard during landing, causing the aircraft to veer left before the crew regained control. No injuries were reported.
Airline’s Suspension and Refund Process
To facilitate passenger refunds, Max Air will continue limited operations until midnight, January 31, 2025. The NCAA has also announced plans to conduct a comprehensive safety and economic audit of the airline during the suspension.
According to NCAA Director of Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, Max Air’s return to operations will depend on the satisfactory completion of the audit.
Passengers with existing bookings are advised to contact the airline for refunds in line with regulatory provisions.
