Confusion at Maiduguri Airport as Max Air Pilot Reportedly Refuses to Fly Over Unpaid Wages

Tension erupted at Maiduguri Airport after Max Air pilots refused to fly over unpaid entitlements.

The standoff left over 100 passengers stranded for hours before the dispute was eventually resolved.

Tension gripped Maiduguri International Airport on Monday after over 100 passengers of Max Air were left stranded for several hours due to a dispute between the airline’s pilots and management over unpaid entitlements. The incident, which disrupted scheduled flights, created panic and confusion among travelers who had already boarded and were ready for takeoff.

According to eyewitnesses, the disagreement began when the pilots refused to operate the flight, allegedly in protest against delayed payments and unsettled allowances. One passenger, who requested anonymity, said flight attendants informed those on board that the pilot would not fly because his entitlements had not been paid.

The situation quickly escalated, leaving passengers confused and restless. Many were seen leaving the aircraft after the crew announced that the flight had been suspended indefinitely pending the resolution of the disagreement.

A passenger identified only as Shola said the pilots insisted that management must resolve their long-standing financial grievances before the flight could proceed. According to him, everyone had already taken their seats and fastened their belts when the crew suddenly asked all passengers to leave the aircraft, a situation he described as both shocking and frustrating.

He added that passengers waited at the terminal for several hours without clear information about what was happening. “There was tension and uncertainty, but eventually, we were told the issue had been settled, and we were asked to re-board,” he said.

Confirming the incident, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, said the dispute was resolved without direct intervention from the regulator. He explained that the flight eventually departed around 2 p.m. after both parties reached an understanding.

“The matter was resolved internally, and since the aircraft later flew, the NCAA considers the issue closed,” Achimugu stated. “We normally do not intervene in salary or entitlement-related disputes unless a formal report is submitted or safety concerns arise.”

He emphasized that while the NCAA focuses on ensuring safety and operational compliance, labour-related disagreements between airline staff and management are primarily internal matters unless they pose risks to flight operations.

Max Air’s Executive Director, Shehu Wada, also confirmed the development in a brief statement, describing the situation as a “communication gap.” He assured that normal operations had resumed.

“It was simply a misunderstanding that has been resolved,” Wada said.

The incident has, however, raised concerns about the growing tension between airline staff and management within Nigeria’s aviation sector, where workers have repeatedly complained about delayed salaries and unpaid entitlements.