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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦6 million fine on Saudi Airlines for breaching consumer protection regulations, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the rights of air passengers.
The development was disclosed by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a post on X.
According to the Authority, the sanction followed months of engagement with the airline over unresolved passenger complaints and its failure to fully comply with the provisions of Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which outlines consumer protection obligations for airlines operating in Nigeria.
The NCAA revealed that it had previously intervened during a tense situation involving stranded passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where its timely actions helped prevent the situation from escalating into violence. The regulator also granted Saudi Airlines additional time to address outstanding complaints and implement regulatory directives.
Despite these efforts, the Authority said the airline failed to meet the required compliance standards, leaving it with no option but to impose the ₦6 million penalty.
The NCAA expressed optimism that the sanction would encourage Saudi Airlines to improve its operational standards, customer service, and responsiveness to passenger complaints in Nigeria.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the interests of air travellers, the Authority stressed that passengers flying to and from Nigeria are entitled to fair treatment and quality service in line with the country’s aviation regulations.
While pledging continued support to Saudi Airlines and other carriers to achieve operational excellence, the NCAA warned that it would not hesitate to enforce sanctions against any airline found violating consumer protection provisions.