Published 11th Nov, 2021

By Tola Owoyele

In March 2020, Alabi Ikeolu booked a round trip Arik Air ticket for Oyedoyin Oyeyiola, his wife, who was travelling from Lagos to Abuja for an appointment.

However, the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown order from the federal government led to travel restrictions which prevented Oyedoyin’s travel.

“After the restriction was lifted, we decided to reschedule the appointment for October this year. But I became surprised when I reached out to the airline and they told me I could not use the March booking, ” said Alabi.

He said he told the airline that the booking was not used because of the lockdown that was imposed and not because his wife was not ready to fly.

“In the end, they told me I could get a refund. On hearing this, I wrote to the airline, asking how I could get the promised refund. But to my greatest shock, they told me the refund was no longer available,” Alabi added.

The dissatisfied customer said he subsequently wrote SERVICOM, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) about the incident but got no response.

“It is sad that we’re being made to pay for what was not our fault. I will not let this slide. Arik must refund that money,” Alabi said.

FIJ placed several calls to Arik’s phone numbers, but they were not answered. A text message and email sent to them were also not responded to.

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