Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has voiced his deep concern regarding the recent spate of near-crash incidents plaguing the Nigerian aviation industry. He emphasized the critical need for collaborative action, urging stakeholders, particularly the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airline operators, to unite and comprehensively address all safety concerns to safeguard the traveling public. Folami stressed in a statement that prioritizing the safety of the operational ecosystem is paramount for the well-being of passengers.
This call to action comes amidst a series of alarming incidents, including the recent suspension of Max Air by the NCAA. This suspension, announced on January 28, 2025, followed a serious incident involving a Max Air aircraft at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, just a day prior. The incident, which resulted in damage to the aircraft’s nose wheel and a tire burst, marked the airline’s third such occurrence within a mere three months. The NCAA has since launched an organizational risk audit of all airlines operating in Nigeria, including Max Air, in response to these escalating concerns.
NANTA has stressed the importance of a unified effort to restore public confidence in air travel. Folami stated, “We are concerned about the increasing signs of near misses and operational discomforts in Nigerian airspace. While we commend ongoing investigations into these challenges, we urge all service providers and government agencies to proactively enhance their emergency response systems to ensure the safety and uninterrupted journeys of the Nigerian traveling public.” He further acknowledged the anxieties expressed by NANTA’s customers, stating, “Some of our customers have called us to express their anxieties and worries, and as major stakeholders in the aviation downstream sector, we cannot pretend that we are not concerned.”
