The runway at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport has been temporarily closed for inspection and clearance following a tyre burst incident involving a Max Air aircraft during landing on Tuesday night.
The incident caused flight disruptions, but all 53 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injuries.
Max Air confirmed the development on their official X account on Wednesday morning, stating, “As a result, the Kano runway will remain temporarily closed for inspection and clearance, which may lead to delays in flight operations today, Wednesday, 29/01/2024. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience as we await further updates on the runway reopening.”
The airline assured the public that the situation was handled professionally, with the crew ensuring a safe evacuation. Max Air also praised its engineering team for their swift response, confirming that the aircraft was removed from the runway at 4:28 a.m. and that updates on flight schedules would be provided soon.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed the incident via its official X account, identifying the aircraft as Flight VM1605, with registration number 5N-MBD. The agency stated, “The pilot, cabin crew, and all 53 passengers were safely disembarked with no injuries recorded.”
The NCAA further noted that the aircraft had been relocated to Taxiway B and ordered a thorough inspection of the runway before reopening. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has since taken charge of the investigation.
Sources indicate that the incident, which occurred at 10:57 p.m., may have involved the nose landing gear tyre. While all passengers were safely evacuated, efforts to obtain comments from airline and aviation officials were unsuccessful.
