Maiduguri Passengers Stranded as Max Air Pilots Halt Flight Over Unpaid Salaries

Over 100 passengers of Max Air were left stranded at Maiduguri Airport on Monday after the airline’s pilots embarked on a strike over unpaid debts owed by the management.

According to sources, the protest began shortly after passengers had completed boarding and were awaiting takeoff. The situation took a dramatic turn when airline staff informed passengers to disembark, citing the pilots’ refusal to operate the flight due to outstanding payments.

A staff member of the airline, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, adding that the matter had since been resolved and the passengers eventually airlifted to their destination.

“Yes, the pilots protested over unpaid entitlements, but the issue has been settled. The passengers are already airborne as we speak,” the source said.

Similarly, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed the incident. He stated that both parties reached an agreement and that the flight departed around 1:00 p.m.

“The issue has been resolved. The flight eventually proceeded without further disruption,” he said.

The protest highlights ongoing labour tensions in the aviation sector, where delayed payments and industrial actions have become recurring challenges.