The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced the suspension of Max Air’s domestic flight services following a tyre burst incident involving one of its aircraft in Kano on Tuesday night.
The Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registered as 5N-MBD, experienced the tyre burst while attempting to land at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport around 10:51 p.m. on January 28, 2025.
Fortunately, all 53 passengers aboard were safely evacuated, and the plane was temporarily grounded.
The runway was cleared for reopening by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria at 8:00 a.m. the following morning.
In response to the incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has launched an inquiry into the event, marking it as the third such incident involving Max Air in the past three months.
NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the suspension of Max Air’s domestic flights in a statement on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the NCAA would support the NSIB’s investigation and carry out its own assessment of the airline’s operations.
Achimugu explained, “It must be stated that the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation.”
He also pointed out that the NCAA had already been conducting an organizational risk assessment for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air, prior to this latest occurrence.
Due to this incident, Max Air has been instructed to halt its domestic flight operations for a period of three months, starting at midnight on January 31, 2025. The airline will use this time for an internal review of its operations.
During the suspension, the NCAA will carry out a comprehensive safety and economic audit of the airline.
“The safety audit will involve a re-inspection of Max Air’s organisation, procedures, personnel, and aircraft, as specified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations,” Achimugu elaborated.
He added that the economic audit would evaluate the airline’s financial stability to ensure it can maintain safe flight operations.
“The resumption of Max Air’s domestic flights will depend on the satisfactory completion of this audit,” Achimugu noted.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused to passengers, the NCAA assured the public that safety remained its highest priority.
“The NCAA is aware of the inconvenience this action may cause Max Air’s intending passengers. However, the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount. We appeal for patience and understanding while we ensure the protection of passenger rights,” the statement noted.
