‘Don’t Panic’ – Max Air Tells Customers After NCAA Suspended Domestic Operations Of Airline

Max Air has reacted to the suspension of its domestic operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) asking its customers not to panic.

It also assured the customers that the issue is being resolved.

Kanyi Daily earlier reported that the NCAA in a letter NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363, suspended Parts A3 and D43 with regards to the operation of Max Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft type with immediate effect over safety infractions.

Parts A3 deals with the airline’s Aircraft Authorization and D43 deals with Aircraft Listing of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd.

By implications, the airline’s domestic operations would be halted pending when the regulatory agency lifts the suspension.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) hereby suspends Parts A3 (Aircraft Authorization) and D43 (Aircraft Listing) of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd. with regards to the operations of the Boeing B737 aircraft type in your fleet.

“With the above suspension, you are to immediately suspend the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft in your fleet.

“The Authority’s action is due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft as listed hereunder,” read the letter signed by Director, Operations Training & Licensing, Captain Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, for Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Musa Nuhu.

In an interview with newsmen, the Executive Director of Max Air, Barr. Shehu Wada said the issue is being resolved and assured passengers especially those who have pending bookings with the airline not to panic.

According to Wada, the airline discovered that an adulterated fuel was sold to it and in line with its commitment to safety decided to carry out an in-house audit and suspend operation for two days before the NCAA waded in.

He said the issues which bother on safety would be resolved in less than a week, adding the airline remains committed to safe operations at all times.

“The fact is that there was the issue of adulterated fuel which we also noted. It was noticed by our maintenance. We now decided to give ourselves a two-day break to be able to audit ourself which the NCAA got the wind off.

“That is the true story. So safety is our number one priority and we are looking at it. Nobody will joke with the life of anybody.”

Commenting on the issue of domestic operations, he said, “We will try and see what we can do in the interim. It is not something major and we will resolve it within a week. It is a safety issue and we have to follow the process. It only shows that everybody is conscious of its responsibility.”

In other news, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered N454bn in looted public funds and as well, secured 90 convictions in the last four years.

This was disclosed by the ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in Osun State, Demola Bakare, at an event in Ede to mark this year’s African Union Anti-Corruption Day on Wednesday.