CORRUPTION!
Bobcat:
I'm sorry you had to learn about Max Air the hard way. The warnings about these clowns have been all over the internet for a couple of years and things have only gotten worse every year.
The only reason Max Air can continue to do what they do is because of corruption at the Nigerian CAA. I'm sure it is obvious to everyone involved that Max Air does not operate within the bounds of the law, but key officials look the other way only because they have been paid to ignore violations.
The 747 operation relies on corruption in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi GACA have been informed (in writing) of severe safety violations committed by Max Air on several occasions. The Saudi authorities don't even investigate the issues! A Nigerian with a big bag of cash can make any problem in the Kingdom disappear in a day or two. Sad, but true.