Senator Adams Oshiomhole has spoken out about his recent encounter with Air Peace, revealing that he was prevented from boarding a flight to Abuja despite having checked in online. The incident sparked a heated exchange between Oshiomhole and airport officials, which was captured on video and shared on social media.
According to Oshiomhole, the controversy began when Air Peace delayed the flight for over five hours before announcing its cancellation. He was forced to book another ticket and eventually checked in online for a 6:30 a.m. flight. However, upon arrival at the airport, he was told that the counter had closed, despite having checked in online.
*The Alleged Ticket Scam*
Oshiomhole alleged that Air Peace was engaging in a ticket scam, where passengers who had booked tickets online at lower rates were being denied boarding while others were being sold tickets on the spot at inflated prices. He cited the example of a lady who had bought a ticket for N146,000 online but was told she was late and would have to wait for the next flight. Meanwhile, the airline was selling tickets on the spot for between N200,000 and N300,000.
*The Lady's Plight*
The lady, who had a baby less than six months old, was particularly distressed by the situation. Oshiomhole recounted how she was denied boarding despite having checked in online and arriving at the airport on time. The airline's staff allegedly told her that she would have to wait for the next flight, but offered to put her on the flight for an additional N109,100, bringing the total cost to N256,000 for a one-hour flight to Abuja.
*Oshiomhole's Intervention*
Oshiomhole intervened on behalf of the lady, questioning the airline's policy and asking why she couldn't be allowed to board the flight. He alleged that the airline's actions were ruthless and exploitative, taking advantage of passengers who had booked tickets online at lower rates. He 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?"
*The Fallout*
The incident sparked a heated exchange between Oshiomhole and airport officials, with the senator accusing the airline of inefficiency and exploitation. He also alleged that the regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing the airline industry were compromising and failing to protect passengers' rights. Oshiomhole stated, "You cannot continue like this. Tomorrow, everyone will blame the government. You have regulatory agencies, and they are all compromising."
*Oshiomhole's Call to Action*
Oshiomhole called on the government to take action to protect citizens from exploitation, warning that if people give up hope, "bullets will not stop them." He also sent N500,000 to the lady who was struggling to pay for another ticket. He emphasized the need for the government to regulate the airline industry and protect passengers' rights, stating, "When people give up hope, bullets will not stop them. The least a government can do is to protect its citizens from exploitation."
*Conclusion*
The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the airline industry's practices and the need for greater regulation and oversight. Oshiomhole's intervention has highlighted the need for passengers' rights to be protected and for airlines to be held accountable for their actions. The question remains: will the government take action to address these issues, or will passengers continue to suffer at the hands of exploitative airlines?
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