Max Air passengers woke up to chaos on Thursday. The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) pulled its services from the airline over unpaid debts estimated at about N1 billion.
The withdrawal grounded Max Air's domestic flight operations across the country. It's one of the most aggressive enforcement actions taken against a defaulting airline in Nigeria's aviation sector so far.
AGHAN Chairman Olaniyi Adigun said the decision came after Max Air refused to talk. While other indebted airlines have opened discussions and are working towards repayment agreements, Max Air has stayed silent.
“We took the decisive action on Max Air today (Thursday) because the airline refused to negotiate with us. While the other debtor airlines are negotiating with us, Max Air has blatantly refused to negotiate with the handling companies,” Mr Adigun said.
“Some of the other debtor airlines are already on the verge of signing Memoranda of Understanding with our members on debt repayment. This action should serve as a signal to other airlines that ground handling companies can no longer continue to provide services without payment.”
The debt is owed to two major ground handling firms — Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO). Investigations show the total is around N1 billion.
AGHAN had been threatening this for months. The association initially set May 1 as the enforcement date but backed down to observe Workers' Day and maintain industrial harmony. It then issued a fresh three-day ultimatum demanding reconciliation and clear repayment plans.
The suspension won't affect Max Air's Hajj operations. Handling charges for pilgrimage flights are paid directly by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, so those services continue.
The move puts pressure on other airlines too. AGHAN warned that continued non-payment is straining ground handling companies and threatening the sustainability of critical aviation support services.
“The ground handling companies can no longer continue to shoulder the burden of providing services without payment,” the association said.
As of press time, Max Air hadn't issued any official statement or responded to requests for comment. The airline's passengers were left stranded, and it's unclear when normal operations will resume.
The dispute highlights a growing problem in Nigeria's aviation industry. Airlines accumulate huge debts for services like baggage handling, aircraft towing, and passenger check-in, while ground handling firms struggle to stay afloat. AGHAN's action may force other defaulting airlines to the negotiating table.