THE management of Air Peace has criticised the allegedly disruptive behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, which it said temporarily hindered flight operations at Terminal 1 of Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday, June 11.
While describing the action of the former Edo State governor as “unacceptable,” the airline said his behaviour caused significant disruption to ongoing operations and affected numerous travellers scheduled for various flights.
It added that to minimise further inconvenience, it activated an operational contingency plan to board affected passengers through an alternate terminal, ensuring the continuity of their travel plans.
A statement issued by the airline’s management concerning said: “The prominent individual in question arrived at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) at approximately 06:10am for Flight P47120 scheduled to depart Lagos for Abuja at 06:30am.
“In line with our standard on-time departure policy, the boarding process had closed and the flight departed as scheduled.”
The airline alleged that upon being informed of the missed flight, Oshiomhole resorted to violence, physically assaulting its staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance, adding: “He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal.
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel.”
Air Peace reiterated that it maintains a zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against its staff and passengers, the airline urged all guests to remain civil and cooperative at all times, as aviation operations are bound by strict timelines and safety protocols, which it remained committed to upholding while delivering safe and timely services to the public.
“Air Peace continues to stand for discipline, integrity and respect for due process. No individual, no matter how influential, is above these values,” the statement said.
However, Oshiomhole, while recounting what transpired, said: “I got to the airport, I have my ticket, they denied me, somebody went in and, ‘ah it’s Oshiomhole,’ then the senior manager came out and said, ‘Oga, let’s see how I can sort you out.’ I said, ‘No, I don’t want personal favours’”
He strongly dismissed claims of interfering with Air Peace operations and filed a complaint with the minister regarding alleged extortion.
He shared his own side of the story: “I booked Air Peace… They delayed the flight for over five hours. In the end, they announced a cancellation. I had to get another ticket.
“Yesterday, I booked a flight for 6:30 a.m., which is their first flight. I booked and asked them to check me in online, which I did, along with two other Ghanaians who met me in Lagos. We checked in online just to avoid the last-minute issues I’ve had with them a couple of times.
“I got there at about five minutes past six. They told me the counter was closed. I told them, ‘No, I’ve already checked in.’ I showed them the evidence of my online check-in.
“Even before then, they had asked if I had checked in, and I told them yes, and that I had no luggage. They looked at it, but still said the gate had been closed. Meanwhile, I noticed they were still taking other people in.
“So I asked, ‘how can you close boarding for a 6:30am flight at 6:05am? What is the purpose of online check-in then?’ If I had to go through another check-in process, then what’s the point of checking in online?
“While speaking to them, I saw many men and women who had been there even before me, with similar experiences. Basically, they were selling tickets on the spot at higher prices.
“I’ll give you an example. A lady bought her ticket for N146,000 online. She arrived at the airport at 5:55 a.m. for the 6:30 a.m. flight, after the gatemen had delayed her.
“They told her she was late and that the counter had closed for check-in. She said that was impossible, as it wasn’t even 6:00 a.m. They told her she would be put on the next flight. She protested, saying, ‘why put me on this flight.’ But they told her the flight was full and she would have to wait.
“Meanwhile, the airline was selling tickets on the spot for between N200,000 and N300,000. To take advantage of the situation, they discouraged those who had bought tickets online at lower rates and sold to people willing to pay more.
“I asked the manager, ‘what is this woman’s crime? She has a baby that’s no more than six months old. How can you refuse to board her when the aircraft is still on the ground and more people are buying tickets?’
“You cannot continue like this. Tomorrow, everyone will blame the government. You have regulatory agencies and they are all compromising. You cannot board people buying tickets on the spot and deny those who booked days ago or checked in online.
“By the time the DSS and Air Force personnel came to find out what happened, they intervened and offered to put the woman on the next flight, the same offer they had made to me earlier.
“But to board that next flight, they told her she would have to pay N109,100. This was in addition to the original N146,000 ticket, meaning she would spend about N256,000 for a one-hour flight to Abuja. There were many others in the same situation and everyone was shouting at the airport.
“I said to the manager, ‘you must follow the rules.’ Many people were stranded, except those who could afford another ticket. I followed the woman to the counter and told her to do whatever they asked.
“Those of us who were also prevented from flying gathered there. Even when an officer offered me access to a lounge, people around said, ‘Comrade, please don’t leave, this is how they’ve been treating us.’ I had to send that woman N500,000. That’s basically what happened.
“I told them this cannot be allowed. I checked in online and arrived on time. The aircraft hadn’t taken off. I’m not supposed to check in twice. The rowdiness arose because many people were denied boarding while tickets were being sold on the spot to others.”
But in its reaction, the airline branded his a “blatant liar,” and challenged him to provide evidence of its officials shortchanging passengers.
The airline, in a statement late on Wednesday, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomhole against Air Peace.
“The senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Oshiomhole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted.
“None of our staff ever extorted any passenger. In fact, no ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on that flight. Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure.
“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. In fact, the aircraft took off with over thirty (30) empty seats. It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats, but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains.
“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Oshiomhole was not fighting for anyone; he came to the airport late and was told that he was late.
“He then began to forment trouble. He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt, preventing the check-in process of other flights. He also barricaded the entrance gate and prevented access to the terminal.
“While he was doing all this, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the airline.
“We call on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Oshiomhole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see.
“His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”
Certainly, the last has not been heard of this matter, as those other passengers denied boarding are expected to come up with their own stories, while a thorough and unbias investigation by the agencies concerned will save the flying public such regular embarrassments.
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