Saudi airlines diversion leaves Kano-bound passengers stranded at Abuja airport for hours

Forum 3 months ago

Saudi airlines diversion leaves Kano-bound passengers stranded at Abuja airport for hours

Hundreds of Nigerian pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia were left stranded inside a Saudi Arabian airlines plane for about five hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after the flight was diverted from Kano due to bad weather.

The aircraft was originally scheduled to land at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano but was redirected to Abuja as a safety measure following reports of poor weather in Kano.

The plane reportedly landed in Abuja at about 1:00 p.m. on Saturday but stayed on the tarmac, with passengers kept inside the cabin for more than five hours.

Some passengers told PRNigeria that they were not allowed to leave the aircraft and were given no food, water or clear updates from the airline. They described the treatment as inhumane.

“We understand the diversion for safety reasons, but being kept inside the aircraft for over five hours without any communication or basic care is unacceptable,” one passenger said.

Others expressed concern about the condition of passengers on board, especially elderly pilgrims and those already weak from the long journey.

“Some of our family members are sick right now inside the aircraft,” another passenger said.

“The stress of travel, combined with this prolonged delay and lack of assistance, is taking a serious toll on people. It is frustrating and dehumanising.”

The stranded pilgrims called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to step in by allowing passengers to disembark or by ensuring that basic welfare support was provided immediately.

The Saudi Arabian Airlines and the relevant Nigerian aviation authorities had not issued any official statement on the incident.