The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has suspended ground handling services to Max Air over outstanding debts owed to its member companies.
AGHAN Chairman, Olaniyi Adigun, announced the decision in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, describing it as the association’s first major enforcement action against an airline over unpaid obligations.
According to Adigun, the suspension took effect immediately after Max Air failed to engage with aviation handling companies on the reconciliation and settlement of its debt, despite repeated efforts to resolve the matter.
He explained that while other indebted airlines had entered discussions with ground handling firms and were reconciling their accounts, Max Air had not shown any willingness to negotiate.
The AGHAN chairman said the association could no longer bear the financial strain caused by the airline’s prolonged failure to pay for services rendered.
“We took this decisive action because Max Air refused to negotiate with us. While other debtor airlines are engaging with handling companies and working towards settlement, Max Air has remained unresponsive,” he said.
Adigun added that some of the indebted airlines were already close to signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with AGHAN members on structured debt repayment plans.
He noted that the action should serve as a warning to other airlines that ground handling companies could no longer continue providing services without receiving payment.
However, Adigun clarified that the suspension would not affect Max Air’s ongoing transportation of Muslim pilgrims, as the handling charges for Hajj operations were being paid directly by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He further disclosed that AGHAN had previously issued several ultimatums to indebted airlines, warning that failure to settle outstanding obligations could result in the withdrawal of services.
Efforts to obtain a response from Max Air on the development were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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