*The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority restates 鈥榯he safety and well-being of passengers is paramount鈥�, noting Max Air, an indigenous airline, is suspending domestic flight operations for three months, effective from midnight January 31, 2025, to allow for 鈥榓n internal appraisal of its operations by its management鈥�

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Following an incident involving one of its aircraft Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, in Kano State, Northern Nigeria, Max Air has suspended its flight operations for three months.

Michael Achimugu, a Spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in a statement issued Wednesday, January 29, hours after the Tuesday night incident at Kano International Airport, noted the suspension is connected with the incident.

绿帽献妻 reports the incident involved Max Air B734 aircraft with registration marks 5N-MBD, upon landing at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, in Kano Tuesday, 28th, January 2025 at about 2251 hours.

The flight, Max Air B734, operated by the aircraft with registration marks 5N-MBD, on landing at the airport, at 10:51 pm, suffered a wheel landing gear collapse and a tyre burst while landing on the runway at the airport throwing passengers into panic.

However, the six crew members and 53 passengers onboard did not suffer any major injuries during the incident.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), however, said the affected runway had since been cleared and flight operations have resumed at the airport.

The regulator also revealed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had begun an investigation into the occurrence.

It is noted that NCAA had suspended Max Air operations July 2023 for similar issues but the regulator lifted the sanction.

Achimugu, Spokesman for NCAA, stated: 鈥淭he NCAA will provide the required support to the NSIB in this regard.

鈥淚t must be stated that the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation.

鈥淚t is instructive to note that the NCAA had commenced organisational risk profiles for each scheduled operator, including Max Air, which is nearing its conclusion.鈥�

The aviation regulatory Authority also noted: 鈥淗owever, as a result of this incident, Max Air is suspending its domestic flight operations for a period of three months with effect from midnight, 31st January, 2025, to allow for an internal appraisal of its operations by its management.鈥�

The NCAA said during the period, it would conduct a thorough safety and economic audit on Max Air.

The aviation regulator further explained: 鈥淭he safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air鈥檚 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.

鈥淭he resumption of Max Air鈥檚 domestic flight operations will be predicated on the satisfactory completion of this audit.鈥�

Achimugu stated: 鈥淭he NCAA is aware of the inconvenience this action may cause intending passengers of Max Air.

鈥淗owever; the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount.鈥�

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