: Max Air Suspended for Three Months Following Tyre Burst Incident at Kano Airport

The Federal Government has announced the suspension of Max Air’s operations for a period of three months, beginning at midnight on January 31, 2025. The decision follows an incident involving the airline’s aircraft, registered as 5N-MBD, which experienced a tyre burst during landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on the night of January 28, 2025.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the incident. He added that during the suspension, the NCAA will conduct a comprehensive safety and economic audit of Max Air.

The safety audit will include a thorough review of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft to ensure compliance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. Meanwhile, the economic audit will evaluate the airline’s financial stability to ensure it can maintain safe operations.

Max Air’s domestic flight services will only resume once both audits are satisfactorily completed, according to Achimugu. He emphasized that the cause of the tyre burst will be determined once the NSIB’s investigation is concluded.

This suspension marks the third incident involving a Max Air aircraft within a three-month span. Despite the scare, all 53 passengers aboard the affected flight were safely evacuated, and operations at the airport resumed after the runway was cleared by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by 8:00 am the following morning.

The NCAA acknowledged the inconvenience this suspension may cause to passengers but reiterated that safety remains the top priority. The authority urged passengers to be patient as the necessary safety protocols are being reinforced to protect their rights and well-being.