Aviation ground handling companies in Nigeria have withdrawn services from Max Air over alleged unpaid debts of about ₦1 billion (US$640,000), triggering disruptions to domestic flight operations on Thursday, industry officials said.
The action, taken by the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), marks one of the most significant enforcement steps yet against an airline over unpaid service charges in the country’s aviation sector.
AGHAN chairman Olaniyi Adigun said the decision followed repeated attempts to engage Max Air in reconciliation talks over outstanding payments, which he said had been unsuccessful.
“We took the decisive action on Max Air today because the airline refused to negotiate with us,” Adigun said. “While other debtor airlines are negotiating with us, Max Air has blatantly refused to engage.”
He added that several other indebted airlines were already in discussions with ground handling firms and moving towards formal repayment agreements.
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The suspension of services is expected to affect key airport operations, including aircraft loading, baggage handling and ramp services, which are essential for the turnaround of domestic flights.
However, AGHAN said the disruption would not affect Max Air’s Hajj operations, noting that handling fees for pilgrimage flights are typically settled directly by Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission.
Max Air did not immediately respond publicly to the allegations.
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Industry sources say the airline’s outstanding debt is owed to major ground handling firms, including Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc and the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, both of which provide critical airport support services across the country.
The dispute highlights growing financial tensions within Nigeria’s aviation industry, where ground service providers have repeatedly raised concerns over delayed or unpaid charges by airlines.
AGHAN said it had previously issued deadlines for repayment and warned that it would suspend services to defaulting carriers if obligations were not settled. The association initially set an enforcement date of May 1 but postponed action to avoid disruption during the Workers’ Day holiday and to allow further negotiations.
A subsequent three-day ultimatum reportedly failed to produce a resolution with Max Air, prompting Thursday’s withdrawal of services.
Industry analysts say the development could further strain domestic airline operations, which are already grappling with high operating costs, foreign exchange pressures and volatile fuel prices.
Ground handling companies argue that persistent non-payment is threatening their financial viability and undermining the sustainability of essential aviation support services.
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“The ground handling companies can no longer continue to shoulder the burden of providing services without payment,” AGHAN said in a statement, warning that further action could follow if other airlines fail to settle outstanding debts.
Nigeria’s aviation sector has faced recurring operational challenges in recent years, including airline liquidity constraints, infrastructure bottlenecks and regulatory disputes between service providers.
The latest dispute adds to concerns over financial stability in the sector, with stakeholders calling for stronger enforcement mechanisms and clearer payment frameworks to prevent further disruptions.
Efforts to resolve the standoff are expected to continue, but industry observers warn that prolonged service suspensions could lead to flight delays, cancellations and broader reputational risks for affected airlines if no agreement is reached.
