Saudi Airlines Remains Silent on N6m Fine Imposed by NCAA

Saudi Airlines has remained silent in the face of a N6m sanction imposed by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority due to alleged breaches of consumer protection regulations, with attempts to elicit a response from the airline proving unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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An email sent to the airline by our correspondent had not received a reply, prompting concerns about the airline's willingness to address the issues raised by the regulator.

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The NCAA announced the sanction on its X handle on Friday, citing the airline's failure to resolve multiple outstanding consumer complaints despite repeated interventions and an extended grace period granted by the regulator as the reason for the penalty.

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The Authority had previously intervened in a tense incident involving the airline at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where its officials helped avert a breakdown of law and order following passengers' complaints, opting for dialogue instead of immediate sanctions.

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The NCAA gave the airline additional time to resolve outstanding consumer protection issues and comply with regulatory directives, but the airline's continued failure to meet its obligations left the regulator with no option but to impose the sanction in line with the provisions of Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.

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The Authority stated that the sanction was necessary to ensure compliance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, particularly in light of its earlier support for the airline in averting violence at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport a couple of months prior.

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The NCAA emphasized that the sanction was not intended to hinder the airline's operations, but rather to ensure greater accountability and improved service delivery for passengers, with the regulator expressing hope that the airline would improve its Nigeria operations exponentially.

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Reiterating its commitment to protecting passengers' rights, the NCAA asserted that travellers to and from Nigeria deserve quality service and respect regardless of the airline they choose, with paying passengers needing to feel protected and respected by the carrier.

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The Authority affirmed its intention to continue working with Saudi Airlines and other operators to promote safe, efficient, and customer-friendly air transport services, with the NCAA pledging to support Saudi and every other airline in operating at optimal capacity.