Passengers Stranded as Max Air Pilot Delays Flight Over Pay Dispute

A pay dispute between Max Air and its pilots led to a significant flight delay on Monday, leaving over 100 passengers stranded at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri.

The incident occurred when a pilot for the airline refused to operate a scheduled flight due to unresolved salary issues with management. Passengers, who had already boarded and fastened their seatbelts, were instructed to disembark the aircraft.

“We were ready for takeoff when the crew asked us to leave,” one anonymous passenger reported. “We initially thought it was a technical issue, but later learned the pilot refused to fly over unpaid entitlements.”

Another passenger described the scene as chaotic, with tensions rising as travelers sought explanations from airline officials.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed awareness of the incident but stated it did not intervene. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, clarified that the regulator typically stays out of internal labor disputes unless a formal complaint is filed or safety is at risk.

“The flight later departed around 2:00 p.m., which means the issue was resolved,” Achimugu stated. “We consider the matter closed.”

Meanwhile, Max Air’s Executive Director, Shehu Wada, downplayed the event, attributing the delay to a “communication gap” that has since been resolved.

The incident has renewed concerns over labor relations and welfare standards within Nigeria’s aviation sector, highlighting ongoing challenges between airline management and flight crew.