Federal Government Suspends Max Air Operations For Three Months Over Tyre Burst Incident
By Juliet Vincent
The Federal Government has suspended Max Air’s domestic flights for three months following a tyre burst incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday night.
A Max Air Boeing 737-400 with registration marks 5N-MBD with 53 passengers suffered a tyre failure while landing, marking the airline’s third incident in three months.
All passengers were safely evacuated, and the runway reopened by 8:00 AM Wednesday.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a statement by Director, Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Mr. Michael Achimugu, on its official X handle, confirmed the suspension, stating it will conduct a safety and economic audit of Max Air during this period.
It pointed out that “during this 3-month period, the NCAA will conduct a thorough safety and economic audit on Max Air. The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, 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.”
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has also launched a probe into the incident.
Max Air’s operations can only resume after successful completion of the audit, NCAA said.
The statement said 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 and NCAA appeals for patience and understanding while it ensures the protection of passenger right.
