Nigeria’s Max Air suspends flights after 737 nose gear collapse
February 3, 2025
Max Air has announced the suspension of all domestic flights for three months following a landing incident involving one of its Boeing 737-400 aircraft at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on January 28, 2025.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the suspension, stating that the airline will undergo a thorough safety and economic audit during the period.
The affected aircraft, registered as 5N-MBD, experienced a nose gear collapse upon landing.
While no official cause has been determined, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the incident. The NCAA has pledged full support for the investigation.
In light of the event, Max Air grounded its fleet from midnight on January 31, 2025, to allow for an internal review of its operations.
During the suspension, the NCAA will conduct a comprehensive safety and financial assessment of the airline. The safety audit will scrutinise Max Air’s organisational structure, operational procedures, personnel, and aircraft in accordance with Nigeria’s aviation regulations.
Simultaneously, the economic audit will evaluate the financial stability of the airline to ensure it can maintain safe flight operations moving forward.
Max Air’s domestic services will resume only upon the satisfactory completion of the NCAA’s audit, with operations expected to restart in May 2025.
Michael Achimugu, director, Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, NCAA, said: “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 organisation, 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 resumption of Max Air’s domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit.”
