Nigerian airline Max Air has asserted that it was supplied with contaminated fuel, which led to the suspension of its Boeing 737 operations. However, fuel provider Octavus is strongly denying these claims, stating that there is no evidence linking their fuel to the incidents that prompted the suspension.
Max Air conducted an internal investigation that revealed the airline had received “adulterated fuel” from its fuel supplier, Octavus. This discovery prompted Max Air to take a proactive approach and suspend its operations voluntarily before the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) intervened, halting Max Air’s 737 services due to a series of safety incidents, including fuel contamination
In response to the suspension, Max Air expressed a strong dedication to addressing the safety concerns raised. The airline’s team is working diligently around the clock to resolve the issues and anticipates reaching a resolution soon, tye airline said. However, specific details about the nature of the fuel contamination and its impact on the safety incidents have not been disclosed.
The NCAA is taking the matter seriously and has scheduled a meeting with airlines, aviation fuel suppliers, and the Nigerian downstream petroleum regulator, NMDPRA, on July 20, 2023. The objective of this meeting is likely to discuss the safety incidents, the alleged fuel contamination, and to gather information from all parties involved.
Octavus, the fuel provider accused by Max Air, has vehemently denied the allegations, categorically stating that the claims are “unfounded” and “ill-intentioned”. “We firmly stand by the integrity and quality of our products and refute any attempts to tarnish our reputation,” Octavus states.
According to Octavus, “the complexities of aviation operations involve multiple factors, and it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the actual root cause of the incidents.” The fuel provider emphasizes its commitment to cooperating fully with inquiries from the NCAA and other regulators.
Octavus also highlights that it sources its products exclusively from trusted partners, including BP and the national Nigerian petroleum firm NNPC. The company said it maintains strict adherence to international standards and industry best practices in fuel supply and distribution. Additionally, Octavus reports handling around “100 flights daily” with no reported complaints from customers about fuel-related issues.
