Safety Concerns: Max Air Resumes Domestic Flights After NCAA Safety Audit

Max Air has been approved to resume its domestic flight operations following a safety and economic audit conducted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). After a three-month suspension triggered by safety concerns, the airline recommenced flights from midnight on March 17, 2025.

The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the approval in a statement on Monday, noting that the audit was essential to ensuring the airline met the necessary regulatory standards.

During the suspension, the NCAA said it conducted a comprehensive re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023. The audit, conducted between February 26 and 28, 2025, assessed the airline’s ability to sustain safe flight operations.

Achimugu stated that Max Air had now met the requirements for resuming operations, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the top priority.

History of Safety Concerns

Max Air’s suspension in January 2025 followed an incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano. However, this was not the first time the airline had faced scrutiny over safety issues.

• May 7, 2023 – An aircraft suffered multiple tyre bursts while landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, forcing a temporary runway shutdown.
• July 21, 2024 – A Boeing 737-400 with registration 5N-ADB suffered a rear tyre burst while taxiing for takeoff at Yola Airport.
• December 5, 2024 – A Boeing 737-3H4 (registration 5N-BBM) caught fire 10 minutes after takeoff from Maiduguri Airport, forcing an emergency landing. The aircraft carried over 70 passengers, including Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur.

A December 2024 report by West Africa Weekly highlighted that between 2023 and 2024, Max Air recorded at least seven major safety incidents, including multiple tyre bursts and mechanical failures.

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