OVER 3,000 NIGERIANS AFFECTED AS SAUDI AIR LEAVES 180 TONNES OF BAGGAGE STRANDED IN JEDDAH

More than 3,000 Nigerian passengers have been caught in a major baggage disruption involving Saudi Air, with an estimated 180 tonnes of their luggage still stranded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority disclosed the scale of the problem after receiving complaints from affected travelers who arrived in Nigeria without their baggage.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA's Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, said the aviation regulator has been engaging Saudi Air over the disruption.

According to Achimugu, approximately eight tonnes of baggage has already been transported to Nigeria following the NCAA's intervention last week.

However, a much larger quantity remains in Saudi Arabia.

With more than 3,000 passengers affected, the NCAA estimates that approximately 180 tonnes of passenger baggage remains in Jeddah.

SAUDI AIR PROMISES TO RETURN BAGGAGE

The NCAA says Saudi Air has committed to transporting the outstanding luggage to Nigeria within the next few days.

The airline has attributed the disruption to operational challenges affecting its services out of Kano.

The NCAA says it is working with the carrier to resolve those problems while continuing to monitor the treatment of affected passengers.

Achimugu said the regulator has advised Saudi Air to take its consumer protection responsibilities seriously.

For thousands of affected travelers, however, the immediate concern remains recovering belongings that did not arrive with them in Nigeria.

COMPENSATION AVAILABLE FOR AFFECTED PASSENGERS

The NCAA says Saudi Air has agreed to compensate passengers who submit complaints through the airline's designated complaint process.

Passengers seeking ticket refunds can also apply through the airline's refund channel.

The regulator encouraged affected travelers to use the established complaint procedures so their cases can be documented and addressed.

Achimugu said the NCAA will continue engaging the airline until the baggage problem is resolved.

NEW COUNTRY MANAGER APPOINTED

Saudi Air has also appointed a new country manager for its Nigerian operations as the carrier works to improve its relationship with the NCAA and its passengers.

The appointment comes as the airline faces pressure to clear the substantial baggage backlog and respond to complaints from thousands of travelers.

The incident has drawn renewed attention to passenger rights and airlines' responsibilities when checked baggage is delayed during international travel.

For now, the NCAA says approximately eight tonnes has reached Nigeria, while an estimated 180 tonnes remains in Jeddah.

Saudi Air has promised to bring the remaining baggage into the country within days as the regulator continues to monitor the situation.