The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has recently highlighted significant issues concerning the responsiveness of domestic airlines to passenger complaints, with Max Air identified as the most unresponsive. This crucial information was disclosed by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).

According to data compiled by the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department (CPD), Max Air consistently demonstrates the highest level of unresponsiveness regarding passenger complaints and the subsequent determinations made by the NCAA CPD. Furthermore, serious allegations have surfaced indicating that Max Air has resorted to issuing threats to travel agencies. These threats are reportedly made against agencies that dare to report incidents or complaints to the aviation regulator, a practice that the NCAA has explicitly stated will be immediately ceased.

In a related but separate development, Achimugu also brought attention to the conduct of Air Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivorian national carrier. The airline is accused of frequently cancelling scheduled flights, particularly on days when passenger turnout is low. To circumvent this, it allegedly merges bookings from different days to achieve its desired passenger thresholds, a practice that is currently under review by the NCAA. Such actions are seen as a serious breach of standard operational procedures and consumer trust.

While reaffirming the NCAA's unwavering support for all airlines operating within its jurisdiction, Achimugu underscored that adherence to civil aviation regulations is non-negotiable. He acknowledged that disruptions in airline operations can occur, but he firmly asserted that compliance with established regulations is not a matter of convenience or choice. Both the cases involving Max Air and Air Côte d’Ivoire are set to be handled expeditiously by the NCAA, ensuring that regulatory standards are upheld and passenger rights are protected.