Ground handlers suspend services to Max Air over unpaid debts

Ground handling companies in Nigeria have suspended aviation support services to Max Air over alleged unpaid debts, marking a significant escalation in ongoing financial disputes within the country’s aviation industry.

The suspension was announced by the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), the umbrella body representing licensed ground handling firms, in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos.

According to the association, the decision followed the airline’s alleged failure to settle outstanding obligations or engage in reconciliation talks aimed at resolving its indebtedness to service providers.

Ground handling services are critical to airline operations and include baggage handling, passenger assistance, aircraft towing, cargo processing, ramp services, and turnaround coordination at airports.

AGHAN Chairman, Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, described the suspension as the association’s first major enforcement action against a defaulting airline.

He explained that while some indebted airlines had entered discussions and begun repayment arrangements, Max Air had allegedly failed to respond to repeated attempts at engagement.

“The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has suspended ground handling services to Max Air over debts,” he said, noting that the decision became necessary due to the airline’s refusal to participate in reconciliation efforts.

Adigun added that repeated attempts to resolve the matter amicably had failed, leaving the association with no option but to withdraw services.

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He stressed that ground handling companies could no longer continue providing essential airport support without clear payment commitments, warning that continued defaults were placing severe financial pressure on service providers.

AGHAN clarified that the suspension would not affect Hajj-related operations, as handling charges for such flights are typically settled directly by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The association said the measure was strictly targeted at enforcing financial discipline within the commercial aviation segment and ensuring sustainability for service providers.

The suspension follows months of mounting tension between ground handling companies and airlines over unpaid service charges.

AGHAN had previously issued multiple warnings and ultimatums, including an initial planned enforcement date of May 1, 2026, which was later postponed due to Workers’ Day celebrations and ongoing efforts to maintain industrial harmony within the sector.

The association subsequently issued a fresh three-day ultimatum demanding that indebted airlines either clear outstanding payments or submit credible repayment plans.

However, AGHAN said Max Air failed to comply or engage, unlike other airlines that have reportedly entered negotiation processes.

The development comes amid persistent financial strain in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where airlines, lessors, and service providers continue to grapple with unpaid debts, regulatory interventions, and operational challenges.

Industry stakeholders note that ground handling companies, which are essential to safe and efficient airport operations, are increasingly burdened by delayed payments, threatening service continuity and sector stability.

Aviation analysts say the suspension of services to Max Air underscores growing tensions between service providers and airlines over unpaid obligations, warning that unresolved debts could disrupt operational efficiency across Nigeria’s aviation value chain.