Over 100 passengers of Max Air were left stranded at Maiduguri Airport on Monday after the airline’s pilots embarked on a sudden strike to protest unpaid debts owed by the management.
According to sources, the protest erupted shortly after passengers had completed boarding and were awaiting departure clearance. Confusion ensued when airline staff directed passengers to disembark and return to the terminal, citing the pilots’ refusal to fly.
A source within the airline confirmed the dispute but noted that it was swiftly resolved, allowing the affected passengers to continue their journey later in the day.
“Yes, the pilots protested the debts allegedly owed to them by Max Air, but I can assure you that the issue has been resolved. The passengers are currently airborne,” the source said.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed the incident, adding that normal operations resumed by 1:00 p.m.
“The issue has been resolved. The flight proceeded around 1:00 p.m.,” the NCAA spokesperson said.
