The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it will not intervene in the ongoing salary dispute between Max Air and its pilots unless a formal complaint is filed or safety concerns arise.
LEADERSHIP gathered that passengers at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri, were left stranded on Monday after a Max Air pilot allegedly refused to operate a scheduled flight due to unresolved financial disagreements with the airline’s management.
The incident, which delayed the flight for several hours and left over 100 passengers stranded, caused tension at the terminal as anxious travellers demanded explanations from airline officials.
Eyewitnesses said passengers had already boarded and fastened their seatbelts when the crew suddenly instructed them to disembark.
“We had all taken our seats and were ready for takeoff when the crew asked us to leave the aircraft,” an eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said. “Initially, we thought it was a technical problem, but later we heard the pilot refused to fly over unpaid entitlements.”
Another passenger, identified simply as Madu, described the situation as chaotic, saying some travellers became agitated when explanations were not immediately provided.
“It was shocking. We were ready to take off, and suddenly we were told to leave the plane. There was tension everywhere,” he said.
Speaking on the matter, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the authority was aware of the incident but did not intervene since it was resolved amicably.
“The flight later departed around 2:00 p.m., which means the issue was resolved,” Achimugu said. “Since it was an internal matter between the airline and its employees, and the aircraft eventually flew, we consider the issue closed.”
He reiterated that the regulator typically does not intervene in salary-related disputes unless a formal complaint is lodged or there is a potential risk to safety.
Max Air’s executive director, Shehu Wada, downplayed the incident, describing it as a “communication gap” between the pilot and management.
“It was simply a communication issue, and it has been resolved,” Wada said. “There was no crisis. The flight has since departed, and operations continue as normal.”
The episode has, however, reignited concerns over recurring labour disputes and welfare challenges within Nigeria’s private airline sector — issues that have, in recent times, drawn attention to the need for improved pilot welfare and sustainable airline management practices.
