The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Max Air from operating local flights for three month over frequent incident in the aviation sector.
This followed the bad tyre incident involving the airline’s aircraft at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Tuesday.
At least 53 passengers and crew members escaped death after a Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft with registration no. 5N-MBD, had a tire burst while landing at the airport at 10:57 p.m., on Tuesday.
The incident was the third involving the airline in three months.
The incident led to the closure of the airport’s runway by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The NCAA in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, said while the suspension lasts, it would collaborate with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB)’s investigation and conduct its own assessment of Max Air’s operations.
The statement read: “It must be stated that the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation.”
The NCAA was already conducting an organisational risk assessment for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air, prior to Tuesday’s incident.
“However, as a result of this incident, Max Air is suspending its domestic flight operations for three months, effective from midnight on 31 January 2025, to allow for an internal review of its operations.
“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. The economic audit will evaluate the airline’s financial stability to guarantee its ability to maintain safe flight operations.
“The resumption of Max Air’s domestic flights will depend on the satisfactory completion of this audit,” the statement added.
By: Babajide Okeowo