Maiduguri, Nigeria — October 21, 2025
Tension and confusion gripped the Maiduguri International Airport on Monday after more than 100 passengers of Max Air were left stranded for several hours following a reported face-off between the airline’s pilots and management over unpaid debts and salary arrears.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the passengers, who were scheduled to board a Max Air flight to Abuja, were informed at the last minute that their flight had been grounded due to an internal dispute between the company’s pilots and senior management.
Passengers Left in Limbo
The incident, which began around 9:00 a.m., saw angry and frustrated passengers stranded in the departure hall, with no clear communication from the airline’s officials. Some passengers said they had checked in and obtained boarding passes before being told that their flight would not depart as scheduled.
Eyewitnesses said airport officials cited “technical and operational issues” as the reason for the delay, but sources within Max Air later confirmed that the disruption stemmed from a strike action by pilots protesting against months of unpaid salaries and allowances.
One passenger, Aisha Mohammed, who was traveling to Abuja for a medical appointment, expressed frustration over the situation.
“We have been here since morning. They told us the flight was delayed, but no one is giving us clear information. Later, someone from the staff told us the pilots refused to fly because they have not been paid. This is unfair to passengers,” she lamented.
Another passenger, Engineer Mustapha Adamu, said many passengers were left stranded without refreshments or accommodation arrangements.
“People are sitting on the floor, mothers with babies, elderly travelers — no one is saying anything official. If they knew there was a problem, they should have told us before we came to the airport,” he said.
Inside the Face-Off
A reliable source within Max Air’s operations department told reporters that the standoff began after pilots refused to operate scheduled flights until the management cleared outstanding salary arrears and allowances.
“The pilots have been complaining for weeks. They are owed several months’ pay and have been demanding that management take immediate action. When their demands were ignored, they decided to stop flights in protest,” the source disclosed.
The insider added that the conflict had been building for some time, with internal communications showing growing tension between the pilots’ union and senior company executives over welfare, maintenance costs, and the airline’s mounting financial challenges.
Airline Management Responds
When contacted, a Max Air spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the operational disruption but downplayed reports of a strike.
“We had an internal misunderstanding that affected flight scheduling this morning, but our management is working hard to resolve the matter. We apologize to all affected passengers for the inconvenience,” the spokesperson said.
He also assured that efforts were underway to resume operations as soon as possible, adding that passengers on the affected flight would be rebooked or refunded.
However, sources close to the airline’s pilot association insist that flights will remain disrupted until management fulfills its obligations.
“We can’t continue flying when our welfare is being neglected. It’s about safety and fairness. Pilots have families and responsibilities too,” a pilot said off the record.
Regulatory Authorities Step In
Officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have reportedly intervened in the situation. A senior FAAN officer in Maiduguri confirmed that discussions were ongoing to restore normal flight operations.
“We are aware of the incident and are engaging with the relevant parties to resolve the matter quickly. Our concern is for the safety and comfort of passengers,” the FAAN officer said.
The NCAA is also expected to issue a statement on the disruption, as passenger rights and safety regulations fall under its jurisdiction.
Background: Max Air’s Troubled Operations
This is not the first time Max Air has faced operational turbulence. The airline, one of Nigeria’s oldest privately-owned carriers, has recently been plagued by a series of financial and regulatory setbacks.
In 2023, the NCAA suspended Max Air’s operations temporarily over safety concerns and maintenance issues. Although the airline resumed operations after addressing the regulator’s concerns, industry insiders have since pointed to lingering financial troubles, especially in the wake of Nigeria’s rising aviation fuel costs, foreign exchange volatility, and high maintenance fees.
Earlier this year, several staff unions within the aviation sector accused the airline of defaulting on salary payments and neglecting employee welfare. Sources said the management has been struggling to balance escalating operational costs with declining revenue, as competition intensifies in the domestic air travel market.
Passenger Rights and Compensation
Under Nigerian aviation regulations, passengers are entitled to compensation or alternative arrangements in the event of prolonged delays caused by airline management or internal disputes. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) stipulate that airlines must provide refreshments, hotel accommodation (if necessary), and ticket refunds or rebooking options when delays extend beyond a certain period.
Legal experts, however, note that enforcement of these passenger rights remains weak in Nigeria, as airlines often fail to meet their obligations without facing significant penalties.
“What happened in Maiduguri is a violation of basic passenger rights. Internal company issues should never affect scheduled flights. The NCAA must ensure passengers are compensated,” said aviation lawyer Barrister Joseph Onah.
Industry Reactions
Aviation analysts say the latest incident underscores the financial fragility of many domestic airlines in Nigeria. With increasing costs of maintenance, spare parts, and aviation fuel — all pegged to the U.S. dollar — many carriers are struggling to stay afloat.
“This is symptomatic of a broader crisis in Nigeria’s aviation industry. Airlines are battling currency devaluation, high debt burdens, and regulatory pressures. Pilots going unpaid is just the latest symptom of an industry under stress,” explained aviation economist Dr. Tunde Ayeni.
He added that the federal government must intervene to stabilize the aviation sector through targeted reforms, including access to foreign exchange, maintenance facilities, and workforce welfare protections.
The Human Toll
By Monday evening, several stranded passengers had reportedly begun making alternative travel plans, with some opting for road transport despite the long and unsafe routes between Maiduguri and Abuja. Others remained hopeful that flights would resume after negotiations between the pilots and management.
“I have been here for over eight hours,” said Mohammed Garba, a businessman. “They said we should wait, but there is still no update. This is embarrassing for an airline like Max Air.”
Looking Ahead
As of press time, Max Air officials had not released a formal statement confirming when normal operations would resume. Industry observers say the outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for the airline’s future and for labor relations in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Meanwhile, the NCAA is expected to summon Max Air’s management for a formal briefing, amid growing calls for stricter oversight of the welfare and financial practices of domestic airlines.
With passengers still stranded and tempers flaring, the incident at Maiduguri International Airport serves as yet another reminder of the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and reform in Nigeria’s troubled aviation sector.
