January 29, (THEWILL) – After a Max Air B734 plane (registration 5N-MBD) had an incident while landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, around 10:51 PM, the airline has decided to stop its operations for three months.
The suspension of operations takes effect from midnight, 31st January, 2025, to allow for an internal appraisal of its operations by its management on one hand.
On the other hand, the stoppage of flight services is to also enable the industry regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to finish a thorough safety and economic audit on Max Air which had already started.
NCAA had earlier commenced organisational risk profiles for each scheduled operator, including Max Air, which is nearing its conclusion
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NCAA, Mr Mike Achimugu, the regulator stated that “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.
According to Achimugu, the resumption of Max Air’s domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit.
The Director also added that “the NCAA is aware of the inconvenience this 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”, Achimugu added.
Statutorily, Achimugu noted that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated investigation into the occurrence, adding that NCAA will provide the required support to the NSIB in this regard.
He emphasised that “the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation”.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB has deployed its GoTeam to the site of the incident.
According to the Bureau in a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the team’s investigation will focus recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
FAAN in its statement also stated that emergency services responded promptly, and the incident was managed according to the emergency response plan.
In the official statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, Mrs Obiageli Orah, the Authority noted that the aircraft has been towed to Bay 5 for further investigation, which is ongoing by Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to determine the root cause of the incident.
“The runway was opened at 08:00hrs, after cleaning and normal flight operations have resumed”, FAAN stated.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
