By ITOHAN ABARA-LASERIAN

The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has suspended ground handling services to Max Air over debts.

The Chairman of AGHAN, Mr Olaniyi Adigun, disclosed the suspension in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

Adigun said that the suspension, which took effect from Thursday, was the first major enforcement move by the association against defaulting airlines.

According to him, the decision became necessary following Max Air’s refusal to engage with aviation handling companies on the reconciliation and settlement of its indebtedness.

Adigun said that while other airlines owing the ground handling firms were talking with them and reconciling their accounts, Max Air failed to respond positively.

He said that the association could no longer sustain the financial burden imposed by the airline’s prolonged non-payment for services rendered to it.

“We took the decisive action on Max Air today because the airline refused to negotiate with us.

“While the other debtor airlines are negotiating with us, Max Air has refused to negotiate with handling companies.

“Some of the other debtor airlines are already on the verge of signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with our members on debt payment.

“This action should serve as a signal to other airlines that ground handling companies can no longer continue to provide services without payment,” he said.

Adigun, however, said that Max Air’s ongoing transport of Muslim pilgrims would not be affected by the suspension.

He noted that the handling charges for the pilgrimage flights were paid directly by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Adigun said that AGHAN had given series of ultimatums to indebted airlines, warning that failure to settle outstanding obligations could lead to withdrawal of services. *PLS USE PARKED MAX AIR AIRCRAFT