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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Saudi Airlines mum over N6m NCAA sanction

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Saudi Airlines faces a N6 million sanction from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for failing to resolve consumer complaints.
  • The NCAA stated that the airline ignored repeated interventions and an extended grace period to address issues, including an incident at Abuja airport.
  • The NCAA aims to ensure accountability and improve passenger service, emphasizing that travelers deserve quality service and respect.

Saudi Airlines has not yet responded to inquiries regarding a N6 million sanction imposed by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for alleged violations of consumer protection regulations. Attempts to get a comment from the airline have been unsuccessful.

Having supported the airline to avert violence at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport a couple of months back, and allowing the grace of extended time to resolve several pending issues as well as determinations by the CAA, this sanction is necessary to ensure compliance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.

— Nigeria Civil Aviation AuthorityThe NCAA explained the rationale behind imposing the sanction after prior interventions.

The NCAA announced the penalty on its X account, citing the airline's persistent failure to resolve multiple outstanding consumer complaints despite repeated interventions and an extended grace period. The regulator intervened earlier during a tense situation at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where passenger complaints led to a near breakdown of law and order.

It is also hoped that the airline will improve, exponentially, its Nigeria operations.

— Nigeria Civil Aviation AuthorityThe NCAA expressed its hope for significant improvements in the airline's services in Nigeria.

Instead of immediate sanctions, the NCAA initially pursued dialogue and granted Saudi Airlines additional time to comply with regulatory directives. However, the airline's continued non-compliance left the NCAA with no alternative but to impose the sanction, in accordance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. The Authority noted that the sanction was necessary to ensure compliance, especially after assisting the airline to avert violence at the Abuja airport.

Paying passengers travelling to/from Nigeria need to feel protected and respected by the carrier.

— Nigeria Civil Aviation AuthorityThe NCAA emphasized the importance of passenger rights and respectful treatment.

The NCAA stressed that the sanction is not intended to disrupt the airline's operations but to foster greater accountability and enhance service delivery for passengers. The regulator reiterated its commitment to protecting passengers' rights, stating that all travelers to and from Nigeria deserve quality service and respect, regardless of their chosen carrier. The NCAA affirmed its intention to continue supporting Saudi Airlines and other operators to promote safe, efficient, and customer-friendly air transport services.

The NCAA will continue to support Saudi, and every other airline, to operate at optimal capacity.

— Nigeria Civil Aviation AuthorityThe NCAA stated its ongoing commitment to supporting airlines' operations.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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