Hundreds of travellers bound for Kano were left stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for nearly 48 hours after their Saudi Airlines flight was diverted and the carrier failed to make proper onward arrangements, sparking tension and security concerns at the airport.
The incident has drawn strong criticism from aviation authorities and passengers alike, underscoring gaps in crisis handling and consumer protections on international flight diversions.
Saudi Airlines came under fire after 401 passengers heading to Kano were effectively abandoned in Abuja following diversion due to bad weather conditions at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the initial diversion, explaining that poor weather forced the aircraft to land in the nation’s capital. However, the airline allegedly “returned to its base without ensuring that its passengers reached their final destination or were adequately cared for.”
In a statement shared on his verified X handle, Mr Michael Achimugu, NCAA spokesperson, described the episode as one of the most intense 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 wrote, capturing the rising tension among the frustrated travellers.
According to the NCAA, other airlines also diverted flights to Abuja due to the same weather issues in Kano but promptly made alternative arrangements for their passengers. In contrast, Saudi Airlines allegedly left without putting in place concrete logistics for onward travel.
Achimugu recounted that he found himself amid over 200 visibly angry passengers who had spent extended hours without clarity on how or when they would get to their destination.
“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, highlighting the emotional volatility.
On one occasion, Achimugu added, an irate passenger threatened to physically assault him before tensions de-escalated.
The NCAA noted that Saudi Airlines does not have an operational base in Abuja, complicating efforts to arrange prompt onward travel for the stranded passengers.
Nonetheless, Abuja airport authorities and the NCAA eventually facilitated the movement of some travellers. Passengers were airlifted in batches by UMZA, another carrier, to Kano over three separate flights.
The first flight carried 74 passengers and four crew members. The second flight transported 73 passengers and four crew members. The third and final flight carried 34 passengers. In total, 189 passengers were successfully conveyed to Kano through these interventions.
While the NCAA said it had met with the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria to address the situation, efforts to reach Saudi Arabian Airlines for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. The airline, which has no information office in Nigeria, had not responded to email queries by press time.
Despite the confusion and prolonged wait, the NCAA stated that Saudi Airlines has committed to compensating affected passengers for the 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,” the NCAA said in its statement.
Passengers and consumer advocates are expected to watch closely how compensation is administered, and whether regulatory measures will be tightened to prevent similar incidents in the future.
