We weren’t blacklisted by any lessor – Max Air

Max Air has clarified what it called a misleading report suggesting that it was blacklisted by international aircraft lessor over contract breach. In a rejoinder on the report, the airline stated that it operates 737 and 747 aircraft stories all fully owned by the airline and not leased from anywhere. In the rejoinder signed by […]

Max Air has clarified what it called a misleading report suggesting that it was blacklisted by international aircraft lessor over contract breach.

In a rejoinder on the report, the airline stated that it operates 737 and 747 aircraft stories all fully owned by the airline and not leased from anywhere.

In the rejoinder signed by Barr. Shehu Wada, SAN, on behalf of the airline, Max Air stated that the report published on Wednesday was damaging to the reputation of the airline.

The statement read: “We have been briefed and our services retained as solicitors to Max Air Ltd (our client) and we have her instructions to correspond to you on the above referenced subject matter.

“Our client is an indigenous and reputable airline and isregistered under the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as air transport services operator and allied matters.

“Our client, for well over two decades, has maintained consistent lead in air transportation of passengers in the international corridor and major air routes domestically.

“Our client’s attention was drawn to your Big Story contained at pages 1 and 30 of Wednesday 17th July, 2024 publication’s titled: 13 Nigerian Airlines Blacklisted for Contract Breaches; written by one Ifeoma Okeke- Korieocha. The content of the publication, as it relates to our client is completely erroneous, misleading, incorrect and particularly offensive.

“You stated at your opening paragraph that ‘No fewer than 13 Nigerian airlines have been blacklisted by international aircraft lessors for various contract breaches. Specifically, you included our client’s name among the blacklisted airlines when you stated copiously that ‘The blacklisted air lines are: Aero, Air Peace, Arik, Azman, Dana, Green Africa, Ibom Air, Max Air, NG Eagle, Overland, Reno Air, United Nigeria Airline and Value Jet’.

“Please be informed that our client operates series of 737 and 747 aircraft, all fully paid for and owned by our client. Our client is not in the business of leasing aircraft for her domestic and international operations. It is important to reiterate here, that our client owns all her aircraft and do not lease aircraft.

“Our client finds it quite appalling to read publication which circulation is nationwide and beyond. Your assertion, without any proof is baseless and untrue. To buttress these and contrary to you assertions, our client does not have any aircraft lease agreement with anyone; and are not indebted to any anyone for refusing to pay lessor fee. All other assertions published by you are vehemently denied, as they do not represent the true ownership status of our client’s aircraft.

“The negative effect of these incorrect statements ‘blacklisted by international aircraft lessors for various contract breaches on the business integrity of our client and her hard earned reputable brand is quite distasteful. Your publication is being considered malicious and could ultimately attract a tortuous action against your organization.
Your publication actually left our client in bad taste, and our client has seen the need to reach out to you with the view of swiftly correcting the untrue notion, hence our engagement.

“We therefore respectfully write to demand an apology from you to our client; and that you retract and delete our client’s name from the erroneous Big Story published on Wednesday 17th July, 2024 regarding our client’s aircraft ownership status; within 24 hours of the receipt of this correspondence by you. Our demands should be conspicuously placed on the front page of your publication.”