The umbrella body of ground handling companies in the country, the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has suspended ground handling services to Max Air over debt.
The action, which took effect on Thursday, effectively grounded the airline’s domestic operations nationwide, marking the first major enforcement move by the association against defaulting airlines.
Chairman of AGHAN, Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, said the decision became necessary following Max Air’s refusal to engage with the handling companies on the reconciliation and settlement of its outstanding indebtedness.
Member companies of the association provide essential services ranging from passenger facilitation, baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, cargo processing, ramp operations to aircraft turnaround support.
Adigun disclosed that while several other airlines owing the ground handling firms are currently in talks and reconciling their accounts, Max Air has failed to respond positively to repeated efforts aimed at resolving the matter.
He explained that the association could no longer sustain the financial burden imposed by the airline’s prolonged non-payment for services rendered.
According to him: “We took the decisive action on Max Air today (Thursday) because the airline refused to negotiate with us. While the other debtor airlines are negotiating with us, Max Air has blatantly refused to negotiate with the handling companies.
“Some of the other debtor airlines are already on the verge of signing Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) with our members on debt repayment.
“This action should serve as a signal to other airlines that ground handling companies can no longer continue to provide services without payment.”
The AGHAN chairman, however, clarified that the airline’s ongoing hajj operations would not be affected by the sanctions, noting that the handling charges for the pilgrimage flights are paid directly by the (NAHCON).
The latest development follows months of disagreements between the handling companies and several airlines over the accumulation of unpaid service charges.
AGHAN had earlier issued a series of ultimatums to indebted airlines, warning that failure to settle outstanding obligations could lead to the withdrawal of services.
The association had initially planned to commence enforcement actions on May 1, 2026, but suspended the move in consideration of Workers’ Day celebrations and the need to maintain industrial harmony.
Subsequently, AGHAN issued a fresh three-day ultimatum to the affected airlines, demanding immediate reconciliation and payment plans.
In previous statements, AGHAN lamented that the prolonged delay in settling the debts had placed severe financial and operational pressure on its member companies.
The association maintained that continued non-payment by airlines threatens the sustainability of ground handling operations and could ultimately affect service delivery across the nation’s aviation sector.
