A wheelchair user has lodged a formal petition with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), alleging that Max Air’s services are not only unsafe but discriminatory against persons with mobility disabilities.
The petitioner claims that Max Air, a prominent airline, fails to adequately accommodate wheelchair users at various critical points—boarding, in-flight safety, and during transfers— putting them at risk and subjecting them to treatment that would violate federal disability rights protections.
In the petition, which invokes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the individual details multiple instances in which the airline’s staff either ignored or improperly assisted them, sometimes leaving them in unsafe conditions or causing discomfort. According to the complaint, essential safety briefings, securement of mobility devices, and proper communication of safety instructions have been inadequately addressed.
The NCAA has been called upon to investigate these practices and ensure compliance with its own non-discrimination policies, the petition states. It contends that educational institutions and their athletic programmes, which depend on the NCAA’s règulations, should not partner with or endorse airlines that violate basic accessibility standards.
Max Air, whose operations span several major airports, has yet to issue a public response, but disability rights advocates say swift action is essential to prevent further harm to persons with disabilities. Legal experts consulted by Daily Trust say that, if proven, such allegations could lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and costly legal liabilities for the airline.
The case highlights broader concerns about accessibility in air travel across Nigeria, particularly for persons with reduced mobility, who often face logistical, infrastructural, and attitudinal barriers.
Attempts to reach Max Air for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of publication.