Saudi Airlines has come under intense criticism after leaving 401 Kano-bound passengers stranded at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for nearly 48 hours, sparking tension and security concerns.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that adverse weather in Kano forced the airline to divert to Abuja but said Saudi Airlines failed to make adequate arrangements for the passengers’ onward journey.
NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Monday, described the incident as one of the most challenging moments of his professional life.
“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.
According to him, other airlines diverted to Abuja under similar weather conditions but ensured alternative arrangements for their passengers, while Saudi Airlines returned to its base without facilitating onward travel to Kano.
Achimugu recounted standing amid over 200 frustrated passengers, many of whom had spent hours without clarity on their travel plans.
“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, noting that one passenger even threatened to assault him.
He added a lighter note about defusing tension with one passenger: “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 has no operational base in Abuja, a factor that complicated logistics the NCAA said the situation could have been managed more professionally.
Achimugu said he later met with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, stressing that no airline could operate in Nigeria without adhering to consumer protection regulations.
The stranded passengers were eventually transported to Kano in batches across three flights operated by UMZA. The first flight carried 74 passengers and four crew members, the second 73 passengers and four crew members, and the third 34 passengers, totaling 189 passengers successfully airlifted.
Saudi Airlines has committed to compensating the affected passengers.
“This brings to an end a disruption of almost 48 hours that began as a force majeure, transitioned into poor passenger handling, and ended with a strong display of teamwork—from the Minister to the DGCA and down to our hardworking Consumer Protection Officers,” Achimugu said.
Attempts to reach Saudi Airlines for comment were unsuccessful, as the airline is neither domiciled in Nigeria nor has an operational office in the country. Emails sent by our correspondent had not been responded to at the time of filing this report.
