Max Air Faces Service Withdrawal Over Unpaid Debts

The Aviation Ground Handler Association of Nigeria has withdrawn services from Max Air due to the airline's unpaid debts, marking the first major enforcement action against a defaulting carrier. Olaniyi Adigun, the chairman of the association, stated that Max Air refused to engage in negotiations to settle its outstanding obligations despite repeated efforts.

The airline reportedly owes two major ground handling firms, Skywai Aviation Handling Company Plc and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, an estimated N1 billion. The action comes after previous threats to withdraw services from indebted carriers.

Although Max Air's domestic operations are affected, Adigun assured that the airline's ongoing Hajj flights would not be impacted, as those charges are paid directly to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. The association has issued a three-day ultimatum for immediate account reconciliation and a concrete repayment plan, warning that prolonged non-payment could severely strain the financial operations of ground handling companies.