Following an incident involving one of its aircraft at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Max Air will suspend its operations for three months.

A spokesman for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

The Statement reads, “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) refers to the incident involving Max Air B734 aircraft with registration marks 5N-MBD, on landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Tuesday, 28th, January 2025 at about 2251 hours.

“Statutorily, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated investigation into the occurrence. The NCAA will provide the required support to the NSIB in this regard. It must be stated that the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation.

“It is instructive to note that the NCAA had commenced organizational risk profiles for each scheduled operator, including Max Air, which is nearing its conclusion. However, 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.

“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 organization, 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. The NCAA is aware of the inconvenience this action may cause intending passengers of Max Air. However; the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount. Thus, NCAA appeals for patience and understanding while it ensures the protection of passenger right.”

Thelagostimes had earlier reported that the flight, Max Air B734, operated by the aircraft with registration marks 5N-MBD, on landing at the airport around 10:51pm on Tuesday, suffered a wheel landing gear collapse and a tire burst while landing on the runway at the airport, throwing passengers into panic.

According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the runway has since been cleared and flight operations have resumed at the airport.