Published 21st Apr, 2024

By Tola Owoyele

Ruth Atkins (not real name), an Imo State resident, has narrated how the many irregularities she experienced while travelling with Air Peace resulted in her getting stuck at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Atkins told FIJ the incident happened between April 17 and 18. She added that the event led to her missing out on the many appointments she had lined up for the period.

“The Air Peace flight was supposed to take us from Abuja to Owerri on April 17,” Akins told FIJ.

“As a matter of fact, the flight was scheduled to depart Abuja at exactly 4:30 pm and arrive Owerri at exactly 5:30 pm.

“Unfortunately, passengers were prevented from boarding the plane until a few minutes past 5 pm.

“After we were eventually allowed to board, we experienced further delays due to the absence of the actual crew members attached to the aircraft.

“This led to a further delay and we did not depart Abuja until 6:18 pm on April 17.”

AIR RETURN

Air Peace’s Flight Rescheduling Notification Sent to Atkins

Atkins told FIJ that while the plane was eventually en route to Owerri, passengers were suddenly told that a return to Abuja would have to be made.

“After spending approximately 30 minutes in the air, the crew informed us that an air return to Abuja would have to be made,” Atkins said.

“We were told we could no longer land in Owerri because the airport there closed at 6:40 pm.

“As a result, we had to return to Abuja.

“Upon our return, we were left waiting in the plane for several minutes for someone to address us, but no one did.

“After a prolonged wait, however, we were eventually told that arrangements had been made for us at a hotel and that transportation had also been provided.”

‘STUCK’ BUS

Atkins further told FIJ that the bus that was supposed to convey all the affected passengers to the hotel arranged for them could only accommodate 18 passengers at once.

“As a result of this, not all of us, I mean the affected passengers, could be transported to the hotel by the bus at once,” Atkins said.

“At around 10 pm, we, the other passengers who were waiting for the return of the bus, were told that it was stuck somewhere and unable to come back for us.

“This left us stranded at the airport without food or a place to sleep.

“The airline’s act led to a great deal of significant inconvenience for me and I was left with no choice than to roam around the city of Abuja at 11 pm that same day in search of a hotel.

“Considering the level of insecurity in the country, it wasn’t just a case of negligence but also the height of nonchalance.”

DEPARTURE TIME RESCHEDULED AGAIN

Message sent to Atkins showing a change in departure time

Atkins said Air Peace then assured all the affected passengers that the flight would again depart Abuja for Owerri on April 18 at 7 am.

“Unfortunately, that promise was not kept the following day,” Atkins said.

“Afterwards, we again received another message from Air Peace saying the flight had again been rescheduled for 10 am.

“At that point, I could no longer bear the harrowing experience anymore, and this made me book a new flight with another airline so I could get to Owerri that day.

“It was important I took that step so I could keep up with the engagements the incessant delays had prevented from seeing.”

Atkins further told FIJ that she found out that she had made the right decision as she later gathered that the flight still did not depart Abuja by 10 am as rescheduled.

“I gathered they eventually left at past 11 in the morning on April 18. That alone would have further put me at a disadvantage in terms of the appointments and engagements I needed to keep up with.”

Atkins said she would be demanding a full refund from the airline as a result of the unpleasant experience she went through.

FIJ subsequently sent an email to Air Peace’s information and call centre desks for comments on the matter on Friday morning, but it had not been responded to at press time.

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