Air Peace has dismissed Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s claims that the airline extorted its passegengers.
The airline, in a statement on Thursday, noted that no passenger was asked to buy new ticket after the closure of check-in on the flight, as alleged by the senator.
Briefly.ng reported that Oshiomhole told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the airline denied passengers who booked online and bought tickets for N146,000 from boarding, while selling new tickets for N250,000 at the counter.
The former governor also claimed he was being offered preferential treatment, which he rejected and fought for other passengers who were also denied boarding.
Air Peace, however, denied all the claims, stating that the senator “blatantly lies” and clallehed him to provide a single piece of evidence of extortion.
The company also noted that the airline did not deny him because its flight was overboarded, and instead blamed Oshiomhole for lateness.
Air Peace’s Statement
“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’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to forment 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 airline then called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage from the time the senator arrived the at airport for clarification.
