Passengers stranded as Max Air pilots protest unpaid entitlement

A dramatic standoff between Max Airline pilots and management over alleged unpaid debt left over 100 passengers stranded at Maiduguri International Airport on Monday, causing panic and confusion among travelers.

According to eyewitnesses, the pilots refused to fly the aircraft, citing unpaid entitlements, prompting the airline staff to instruct passengers to disembark and return to the terminal. The incident sparked tension among passengers, who waited for hours in uncertainty before the matter was eventually resolved.

Confirming the development, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, said the dispute was resolved amicably by both parties without regulatory intervention.

“The flight later departed around past 2:00 pm, which means the issue was resolved. Since it was an internal matter, and the aircraft eventually flew, we consider it closed,” Achimugu said.

Max Air’s Executive Director, Shehu Wada, attributed the incident to a communication gap, saying, “It is a communication gap issue, and it has been resolved. That is how I can describe it basically.”