According to the regulator, the decision was not taken abruptly. It followed what it described as repeated engagement efforts, including an extended period of leniency aimed at giving the airline time to address outstanding issues affecting passengers travelling to and from Nigeria.
In its statement shared on X, the Authority said its intervention had previously gone as far as preventing a potential breakdown of order during a tense situation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where aggrieved passengers had raised concerns about service failures.
Rather than immediately resorting to punitive measures, the NCAA said it chose dialogue first, granting additional time for compliance. However, it maintained that the airline did not meet the expected obligations within the extended window.
Explaining the basis for the sanction, the Authority stated: “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.”
Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 outlines consumer protection obligations for airlines operating in Nigeria, including timely resolution of passenger complaints, fair treatment during service disruptions, and adherence to regulatory directives issued by the aviation authority.
The regulator stressed that the penalty was not designed to disrupt the airline’s operations but to reinforce accountability and improve passenger experience across the aviation sector.
“It is also hoped that the airline will improve, exponentially, its Nigeria operations,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its broader mandate, the Authority emphasized that passenger welfare remains central to its oversight responsibilities. It said travellers deserve consistent protection regardless of the carrier they choose.
“Paying passengers travelling to/from Nigeria need to feel protected and respected by the carrier,” it said.
The NCAA also reiterated its willingness to continue working with international airlines, including Saudi Airlines, to ensure higher operational standards and better service delivery in Nigeria’s air travel industry.
“The NCAA will continue to support Saudi, and every other airline, to operate at optimal capacity,” the statement added.
Despite the sanction, Saudi Airlines has not yet issued any official response. Efforts by journalists to obtain a reaction were unsuccessful, as an email sent to the carrier remained unanswered at the time of filing this report.