The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦6 million fine on Saudi Airlines over consumer protection-related infractions and failure to resolve outstanding passenger complaints.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the sanction on Friday, saying the enforcement action followed the airline’s failure to comply with regulatory directives despite repeated interventions by the authority.
Achimugu said the NCAA had earlier intervened to assist Saudi Airlines in managing a situation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which he said could have escalated into violence.
According to him, the regulator also granted the airline additional time to resolve pending consumer complaints and comply with the authority’s determinations, but the airline failed to meet its obligations.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has sanctioned Saudi Airlines to the tune of ₦6 million for consumer protection-related infractions,” Achimugu said.
He explained that the sanction was imposed pursuant to Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023, which provides for the rights of air passengers and the obligations of airlines operating in Nigeria.
The NCAA said the penalty was intended to compel compliance, improve the airline’s operations in Nigeria and strengthen its commitment to passenger welfare.
Achimugu stressed that passengers travelling to and from Nigeria deserve fair and respectful treatment by all carriers operating in the country.
He added that while the NCAA would continue to support Saudi Airlines and other airlines to operate efficiently, it would not hesitate to enforce regulatory standards where necessary to protect air travellers.
Saudi Airlines had yet to respond to the sanction as of the time of filing this report.
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