Air Peace has condemned the former governor of Edo State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly disrupting its operations at the general aviation terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Wednesday (yesterday).
The airline said in a statement that “the prominent individual in question” referring to Oshiomhole arrived at the airport “at approximately 06:10am” for a flight slated to leave Lagos for Abuja at 06:30am.
In line with its “standard on-time departure, the airline stated that by the time Oshiomhole arrived the boarding process had closed and the flight departed as scheduled.
Upon being informed of the missed flight, the airline said the “politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance” and “went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal.”
The airline described the politician’s behaviour as “unacceptable” adding that his conduct caused significant disruption to its operations and affected numerous travelers scheduled for various flights.
To minimise further inconvenience, the airline said it “swiftly activated an operational contingency plan to board affected passengers through an alternate terminal, ensuring the continuity of their travel plans.
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel. Air Peace maintains a zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against our staff and passengers,” it said.
The airline urged all its clients “to remain civil and cooperative at all times, stressing that “aviation operations are bound by strict timelines and safety protocols, and we remain committed to upholding these standards while delivering safe and timely services to the Nigerian public.”
In his response, Oshiomhole who currently represents Edo North in the senate, denied allegations of disrupting the airline’s operations, insisting instead that he rejected preferential treatment and stood up against what he described as systemic extortion and poor customer service by Nigerian airlines.
Briefing journalist in Abuja yesterday, Oshiomhole said his recent experiences with Air Peace highlighted the growing impunity and disregard for passengers’ rights in the country’s aviation sector.
He said he “arrived before 6:00 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. flight, having checked in online by 7.46pm, the previous night.”
Oshiomhole said he was denied boarding, alongside other passengers who were confused by a last-minute change in check-in policy from 30 to 45 minutes before departure.
“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 6:30 flight at 6:05? 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?”
He alleged that while he was speaking to the airline staff, he saw many passengers who had been there even before him, 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 N250, 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 was told the counter had closed. But people were still being allowed to buy new tickets at higher prices. Those of us who had booked online for N146, 000 were told we were late, while they sold new tickets for N250, 000. That is not policy enforcement, it is extortion,” he said.
Rejecting claims that he caused a disruption, Oshiomhole said he only intervened when a crowd of stranded passengers, including women with babies, began to protest.
“I didn’t disrupt anything. I refused to let them ‘sort me out’ while others were left stranded. They offered to help me once they recognised me. I said, don’t help me, enforce my rights like every other Nigerian,” he said.
In a swift reaction, Air Peace denied the allegation of extorting Nigerians, accusing the senator of paddling “deliberate falsehood.”
The airline said: “The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomole 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 also described as “absolutely false” Oshiomhole’s allegation that he was offered preferential treatment, adding he was not fighting for others as he alleged.
“Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to foment 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 these, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the airline,” the statement said.
The airline called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) “to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomhole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see.”
It added: “His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”
