Safety our top priority since inception — Max Air

Following its recent certification for flight operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority after water was discovered in the engine of one of its Boeing aircraft, Nigeria’s Max Air has again restated its commitment to safety which it described as the number one priority.

Speaking to some journalists in Lagos, an Executive Director of the airline, Mr Shehu Wada, said the issue of safety remained the priority of the airline since inception, stating that “What we sell is safety and we pride ourselves by our sincerity and commitment to safe and secure operation which we have guarded jealously from the beginning of our operation” .

He emphasised that the airline would remain focused on delivering safe and efficient flight services to Nigerians despite attempts by some individuals and those he called fifth columnists to drag the airline back.

In addition, he said the airline has absolute confidence and belief in the NCAA over the recent audit of the airline, saying the regulatory authority had done a very thorough job.

 “We will not allow anybody to drag us back. Our audit is open. We may not be perfect but safety is what we sell.

“We have been in operation over the last one decade without a single accident and that is because we continue to prioritise safety in what we do. We don’t joke with the safety of our passengers and crew,” he added.

Wada recalled the recent incident involving one of the aircraft of the airline where a huge volume of water was found in the tank, saying it was an isolated case which the airline quickly noticed and decided to ground itself before the NCAA waded in.

According to him, after the NCAA certified the airline to resume operation, it was further grounded to enable it close other gaps identified in the operation.

He said the NCAA as a responsive and responsible regulatory authority has remained thorough in its regulation of airlines in order to sustain the safety rating of the airline’s industry in Nigeria internationally. 

“The NCAA has certified us and the NCAA would not want anything that would drag it in the mud in the discharge of its operation.

“When we noticed something was wrong, we were the first to announce we were suspending our operation before NCAA waded in and the NCAA came and it was through with their findings.

“When the NCAA noticed something was wrong again, they still grounded us until they verified everything.”

Wada stated that the founder of the airline, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, a renowned and astute businessman, would not be discouraged in his patriotism and commitment to contributing to the development of Nigeria through his investments in various sectors of Nigeria which has earned him recognition beyond the shores of the country. 

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