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… Air Peace refutes the request for extortion of oshiomhole, requires Faan’s release CCTV movies
By Ayo Kehinde
Air Peace denied the accusations of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, that his staff extort passengers at the airport, describing the statements as false, defamatory and shameful.
The senator who represents Edo North and the former governor of the Edo state, gave information on what emerged on Wednesday morning at the Murtala Muhammed Terminal 1 airport, Zulu Hall.
He told the way to passengers, including himself, was prevented from boarding an air peace flight to Abuja despite having checked -in online.
Comrade Oshiomhole said that the confusion at the home terminal was unleashed by Air Peace’s decision to prevent passengers from embarking while presumably claiming seats at inflated prices to others on the spot.
“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 in the morning, which is their first flight today. I booked and asked them to check-in online, which I did, together with two more Ghana who met me in Lagos. I controlled online only to avoid last few times.
“I got there about five minutes after six. They told me that the counter was closed. I said to them:” No, I already checked -in. “I showed them the tests of my online check -in.
“So I asked:” How can you close boarding for a flight at 6:30 at 6:05? What is the purpose of online check-in, then? “If I had to go through another check-in process, then what is the point of checking online?
“While I was talking 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 will give you an example. A lady bought her ticket for N146,000 online. It arrived at the airport at 5:55 in the morning for the flight of 6:30, after the Gatemen delayed it.
“They told her he was late and that the counter had closed for check-in. He said it was impossible, since it was not even 6:00 in the morning, they told her he would be put on the next flight. He protested, saying:” Why? Put me on this flight. “But they said that the flight was full and she should have waited.
“In the meantime, the airline sold tickets to the scene between N200,000 and N300,000. To take advantage of the situation, those who had purchased online tickets at lower rates and sold to people willing to pay more discouraged.
“I asked the manager:” What is the crime of this woman? He has a child who is not more than six months. How can you refuse to get on board when the plane is still on the ground and more people buy tickets? “You can’t continue like this.
“When the staff of the DSS and the Air Force came to find out what had happened, they intervened and offered to put the woman on the next flight-the same offer that had made me before. But aboard that next flight, they told her that she should have paid N109,100. This was in addition to the original ticket of N146.000, which would have spent about N256,000 for a matter for a location.
“I said to the manager:” You have to follow the rules. “Many people were blocked, except those who could afford another ticket.
“I had to send that woman N500,000. This is basically what happened. I told them that it cannot be allowed. I checked -in online and I arrived in time. The plane was not trimmed. I shouldn’t check -in twice. Rowddiness is sip because many people were denied boarding while the tickets were sold on the spot for others.”
In a strongly formulated declaration issued by its direction on Wednesday, the airline challenged the former governor of the Edo State to provide evidence of any extorted passenger and urged the federal authority of the airports of Nigeria (Faan) to release CCTV movies that capture its movements at the airport.
The declaration stated: “Our attention was attracted by the deliberated falsehood sold by Senator Adams Oshiomhole against aerial peace.
“The senator highlighted clearly when he accused the aerial peace of extorting his passengers. We challenge him to advance only a test to support this serious accusation.”
The airline insisted on the fact that no staff member extorted any passenger and that all the tickets to the flight in question had been purchased before the check-in closure.
“No ticket was sold after the check-in closure. Furthermore, the flight was not booked in excess, as supported in some of the circulating videos of the senator. The plane actually started with over 30 empty seats,” continued the declaration.
Air Peace observed that he would have been in his financial interest to allow passengers late, including Oshiomhole, but said that he gave priority to his rigorous punctual performance policy for monetary gain.
“It is completely false that Senator Oshiomhole was offered a preferential treatment or that he was for other passengers. He arrived late, he was informed that he had lost flight and then resorted to disruptive behavior,” said the airline.
According to Air Peace, the legislator jumped on a luggage carrier, obstructed the check-in operations, barricaded the entrance to the terminal and incited other passengers against the airline staff.
“We are asking Faan to release the Film of the CCTV from the moment when Senator Oshiomhole has arrived at the airport. Her extortion claim is defamatory and her conduct was violent, disruptive and absolutely bare by someone in its position,” concluded the declaration.
Air Peace has reiterated its commitment to the professionalism, safety and prompt provision of the service, adding that no individual, regardless of status, is above the airline’s operating procedures.
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