NCAA Fines Saudi Airlines ₦6 Million Over Passenger Rights Violations

[Akinola Kholid]

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has fined Saudi Airlines ₦6 million for violating Nigeria's consumer protection regulations. The penalty was announced by the NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, who said the airline failed to fully comply with the authority's directives.

According to Achimugu, the NCAA had earlier stepped in to prevent a serious crisis involving stranded passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The agency also gave Saudi Airlines extra time to resolve passenger complaints and follow the required regulations before deciding to impose the fine.

The NCAA said the action was taken to enforce Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which protects the rights of air passengers in Nigeria. Achimugu explained that travelers deserve to be treated with respect and should feel protected whenever they fly to or from Nigeria.

The fine comes after widespread criticism of Saudi Airlines earlier this year when 401 passengers travelling to Kano were left stranded in Abuja for almost 48 hours. Although bad weather forced the flight to divert, the NCAA said the airline failed to provide proper arrangements to transport passengers to their final destination.

Achimugu revealed that he personally helped calm angry passengers after reports of possible violence at the airport. The NCAA also engaged the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria and insisted that all airlines operating in the country must obey Nigeria's consumer protection laws. The stranded passengers were later flown to Kano in batches, and Saudi Airlines promised to compensate those affected.

The NCAA said it will continue to support both local and international airlines operating in Nigeria, but it will not hesitate to punish any carrier that violates passenger rights. The agency believes the latest sanction sends a strong message that airlines must respect Nigerian aviation regulations and protect their customers.

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