On October 18, Bishir Abubakar, an Abuja resident, booked an Abuja–Asaba return flight ticket with Air Peace.
The N213,000 ticket booking was supposed to see Abubakar make the Abuja–Asaba round trip between October 27 and 28 in 2023.
Unfortunately, due to a sudden change in his work plans, Abubakar could not make the trip as planned. He then subsequently notified the airline of the development, requesting that the ticket be “kept open” until the period he would have to make his next air travel.
READ ALSO: Royal Air Maroc Makes Nigerian, 78-Year-Old Mother Miss Flight, Misplaces Their Luggage
The Abuja resident’s next travel period eventually came some months later and, while preparing for the journey, he reached out to Air Peace and made it known that he was ready to make use of his unused flight ticket.
Surprisingly, the reaction he got from Air Peace suggested that the airline was not willing to allow him to use the ticket.
‘IT WAS A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT’
In a phone interview, Abubakar told FIJ on Sunday that he felt Air Peace’s “not-so-encouraging” response to his request was a deliberate attempt to prevent him from using the open ticket.
“I feel this is a deliberate attempt by Air Peace to prevent me from still making use of my ticket,” said Abubakar.
“On August 29, I reached out to the airline via email and informed them of my intention to make use of the open return ticket I had with them. Interestingly, the event I was unable to attend in October 2023 is still the same event I am planning to attend this year.
“The only difference between last year’s event and this year’s event is the change in location. Last year, it was held in Asaba. This year, however, it will be held in Enugu.
“So, when I reached out to Air Peace, I requested that I needed to make use of my open ticket for my trip to Enugu. I also chose October 20 and 25 as my departure and return dates.
“To my surprise, however, the official who responded to my mail claimed seats were not available for both days, I mean October 20 and 25.”
READ ALSO: To Accommodate ‘One More Passenger’, United Airlines Downgrades Nigerian Family From Business to Economy Class in the US
After Abubakar was told seats were not available for both days, a dramatic event occurred.
ABUBAKAR’S COLLEAGUES ABLE TO BOOK AIR PEACE FLIGHTS FOR THE SAME PERIOD
Abubakar told FIJ that two colleagues, who were planning to attend the same programme, booked their flight tickets with Air Peace for the same period after he was told by one of the airline’s officials that seats were not available.
“I initially thought they were pulling my legs when they told me they were able to book their flights successfully,” Abubakar told FIJ.
“When they showed me evidence, I then realised it was true. I was shocked and disappointed. This then meant that the official’s response to me was a deliberate attempt aimed at preventing me from making use of my ticket.
“I understand that, sometimes, in the aviation industry, if passengers have open tickets and wish to change destinations, such may attract additional fees and charges.
“Why did Air Peace not do that? Why did the official claim that there were no available seats for that period?
“No one can tell me that her action and response were not deliberate.”
READ ALSO: ‘Wakanow, Refund Later’ — Belgian’s N180,000 Still Hanging With Travel Agency After More Than 8 Weeks
A NEW FLIGHT BOOKING
When Abubakar attempted to book the same flight with Air Peace, he discovered the total cost was N188,000.
“When I realised this, I once again sent an email to Air Peace, stating that the total cost of my new booking was N188,000, which was a lesser price when compared to the N213,000 Abuja–Asaba booking I had made in 2023,” said Abubakar.
“I then again reached out to Air Peace via email to tell them about the favourable difference in the flight cost and requested that my unused ticket be used in booking my Abuja to Enugu flight.
“At that point, I no longer cared about the N25,000 difference. I just wanted the airline to allow me to use the ticket for the trip.
READ ALSO: Dana Air Ignores Abuja Civil Servant’s Emails for 4 Months Over N129,600 Refund
“I also gave the airline the option of refunding my money to me so I can use it to pay for the new booking I made, but they did not respond to me. I again sent them an email on August 31 but I have not received any feedback from them.
“In global airline practices, I know passengers change their flight destinations after booking their flights. I also know that the process and fees may vary by airline and fare type. It all depends on airline policies regarding flight changes.
“Many airlines also charge a change fee. My question, however, is: why is Air Peace preventing me from using my unused ticket? They have even stopped responding altogether.”
READ ALSO: FG Signs Aircraft Maintenance MoU With Boeing, but the Company Has Multiple Safety Issues
FIJ sent an email to Air Peace’s Call Centre Unit on Sunday for a reaction to Abubakar’s claims, but only received the following holding response:
“Your ticket has been created with the ticket ID 359*** and subject “Abuja to Asaba Return Ticket IRO Abubakar Magaji PNR- ******.
“An agent from our customer service team will review it and respond shortly.”
At press time, there was no response from any of the airline’s agents.
Subscribe
Be the first to receive special investigative reports and features in your inbox.