Over 100 passengers were left stranded at Maiduguri Airport on Monday after Max Air pilots reportedly refused to fly in protest over unpaid debts owed by the airline’s management.
The drama unfolded after passengers had already completed boarding and were awaiting departure clearance. Suddenly, the airline staff instructed everyone to disembark and return to the terminal, citing a strike action by the pilots.
Sources at the airport told The Guardian that the pilots’ protest was triggered by long-standing salary arrears and unresolved payment issues.
One airline source, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the protest caught both the management and passengers by surprise.
“Yes, the pilots protested the debts allegedly owed to them by Max Air,” the source said. “But I can assure you that the issue has now been resolved. The passengers are currently airborne as I speak.”
Passengers, many of whom were traveling to Abuja, expressed frustration over the sudden disruption.
Some complained about the lack of communication from the airline before being asked to leave the aircraft.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident.
According to its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, both parties have since reached an agreement.
“The issue you mentioned has been resolved,” the NCAA spokesperson said.
“The flight eventually departed around 1:00 p.m. after the matter was settled.”
The brief standoff highlighted the growing unrest within Nigeria’s aviation industry, where pilots and ground staff have repeatedly raised concerns about unpaid entitlements and poor working conditions.
Max Air has faced a series of operational challenges in recent months.
In 2024, the NCAA temporarily suspended the airline’s operations following a near-crash incident in Kano.
The carrier was also involved in several payment disputes linked to staff and service providers.
Despite the latest disruption, insiders say the management has pledged to address the pilots’ concerns to avoid further industrial actions.
As of Monday evening, normal flight operations had reportedly resumed, bringing relief to the stranded passengers.