Saudi Airlines has come under heavy criticism after abandoning 401 Kano-bound passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for nearly 48 hours, a situation that escalated into tension and serious security concerns.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the aircraft was forced to divert to Abuja due to bad weather conditions in Kano but faulted the airline for failing to make adequate arrangements to transport the passengers to their final destination.
The development was disclosed in a statement posted on Monday by the NCAA spokesperson, Mr Michael Achimugu, via his verified X handle, where he revealed that he was personally involved in efforts to de-escalate the crisis.
Achimugu described the incident as one of the most intense experiences of his professional career, highlighting the volatility of the situation involving the stranded passengers.
“Yesterday, I had to make a U-turn while heading to my barber’s shop after receiving reports of a valid threat of extreme violence from stranded Saudi Airlines passengers in Abuja,” Achimugu said.
He explained that although several other airlines were also compelled to divert their flights to Abuja due to the same weather challenges, those airlines made alternative arrangements for their passengers, unlike Saudi Airlines, which reportedly returned to its base without ensuring that its passengers reached Kano.
Achimugu recalled standing in the midst of more than 200 visibly angry passengers who had been stranded for hours without clear information on when or how they would continue their journey.
“I stood amidst over 200 angry passengers, pacifying, reprimanding and resolving. This is the most adrenaline-rushing part of my job. It requires tact, firmness, wisdom and teamwork. But it is risky. Some passengers are extremely violent,” he said.
He further disclosed that at the peak of the tension, one enraged passenger openly threatened to assault him during the confrontation.
Providing further insight into the encounter, the statement added, “I looked at him. Initially, I was angry. But I saw the worry in his eyes and decided to handle him differently. We ended up talking. We became best friends. He even invited me to his Lagos residence.”
While acknowledging that Saudi Airlines does not maintain an operational base in Abuja, a factor that compounded the logistical difficulties, the NCAA insisted that the airline could have managed the situation in a more professional manner.
Achimugu also revealed that he later met with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, during which he firmly stated that no airline would be permitted to operate in Nigeria without full compliance with the country’s consumer protection regulations.
He commended the Regional General Manager of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for the role played in managing the crisis and confirmed that the stranded passengers were eventually airlifted to Kano in batches through three flights operated by UMZA Aviation.
“The first aircraft departed Abuja for Kano with 74 passengers and four crew members. The second carried 73 passengers and four crew members.
“The third and final flight conveyed 34 passengers. In total, 189 passengers were successfully transported to Kano,” he stated.
According to the NCAA, Saudi Airlines has undertaken to compensate all passengers affected by the prolonged disruption.
“This brings to an end a disruption of almost 48 hours that began as force majeure, transitioned into poor passenger handling, and ended with a strong display of effective teamwork, from the Minister to the DGCA and down to our hardworking Consumer Protection Officers,” Achimugu said.
Efforts to obtain a response from Saudi Airlines proved unsuccessful, as the airline is neither domiciled in Nigeria nor maintains an information office within the country.
