Ground Handlers Suspend Max Air Operations Over N1bn Debt
Domestic flight operations of Max Air have been suspended nationwide following the withdrawal of ground handling services by members of the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) over outstanding debts estimated at about N1 billion.
The enforcement action, which took effect on Thursday, was announced by AGHAN Chairman, Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, who said the decision became necessary after the airline allegedly failed to engage in discussions aimed at reconciling and settling its indebtedness to ground handling companies.
According to Adigun, other airlines with outstanding obligations are currently negotiating repayment arrangements with handling firms, while Max Air has not responded positively to repeated efforts to resolve the issue.
“We took this decisive action because Max Air refused to negotiate with us. While other debtor airlines are reconciling their accounts and discussing repayment plans, Max Air has blatantly refused to engage with the handling companies,” he said.
He noted that some indebted airlines are close to signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with AGHAN members on debt repayment, adding that the association can no longer sustain the financial burden of providing services without payment.
Adigun said the action should serve as a warning to other airlines that continued non-payment for services rendered would no longer be tolerated.
He, however, clarified that Max Air’s ongoing Hajj operations would not be affected, explaining that handling charges for pilgrimage flights are paid directly by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Industry sources disclosed that Max Air’s debt exposure to the two major ground handling companies — Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) — is estimated at approximately N1 billion.
The development follows months of disputes between ground handling companies and several airlines over unpaid service charges. AGHAN had earlier threatened to withdraw services to indebted airlines and initially planned to begin enforcement on May 1, 2026, before postponing the action in observance of Workers’ Day and to maintain industrial harmony.
The association later issued a fresh three-day ultimatum, demanding immediate account reconciliation and concrete repayment plans from affected airlines.
AGHAN has repeatedly expressed concern that persistent delays in debt settlement are placing severe financial and operational strain on its member companies, which provide critical aviation support services, including passenger facilitation, baggage handling, cargo processing, aircraft cleaning, ramp operations and turnaround services.
The association warned that continued non-payment could threaten the sustainability of ground handling operations and adversely affect service delivery across Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Efforts to obtain a response from Max Air on the development were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
