…there had been, two earlier flights, which had been delayed and whose passengers had waited, for over three hours
The thriving indigenous airline, Air Peace, is currently enmeshed in an image shattering scandal, which has earned it a 48 hours ultimatum to tender a public unreserved apology.
According to The Page, an online news platform, a passenger, A M Kotoye, reportedly wrote a letter to the airline’s Managing Director complaining about the hostile nature of its staff as well as being subjected to inhuman conditions after his flight schedule was changed without prior notice nor any apology tendered.
Amidst serious security concern, Kotoye, in the letter titled Complaint Of Delayed Flight and Maltreatment, said the airline exposed him to great danger in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja where he was dropped after midnight with no way to continue his journey from the Abuja airport, in a trip that ought to have ended by 8.00 Pm.
Below is Kotoye’s letter provided unedited:
COMPLAINT OF DELAYED FLIGHT AND MALTREATMENT
The Managing Director,
Air Peace.
Dear Sir,
My name is Adeyinka Moyosore kotoye. I purchased your return ticket, with booking reference: AP4L94 and E-ticket numbers 7102307422319/1 and 7102307422319/2, for Lagos/Abuja on Monday 12/07/2021, @ 7.20pm and Abuja/Lagos on Tuesday 13/07/2021 @ 9.10pm.
On Monday 12/07/2021, at about 1pm, I received a mail from you that, the flight earlier scheduled for 7.20pm, has been shifted to 8.50pm.
Relying on this and in accordance with the Covid protocol, I arrived at the old domestic terminal at around 6.30pm and checked in, only to notice on the boarding pass that, the flight with number P47126, was scheduled for boarding at 9.20pm, instead of 8.50pm earlier stated in your aforementioned mail.
At the waiting lounge, I also discovered that there had been, two earlier flights, which had been delayed and whose passengers had waited, for over three hours.
In any case, your airline kept me and other passengers waiting, at the airport, without any apology and/or explanations, for almost five (5) hours. There was no refreshment either and which is contrary to statutory stipulations. We didn’t board until 11.05pm. We got to Abuja, at 12.10am on Tuesday, 13/07/2021.
I had to sleep at the airport because it was too dangerous and risky for me, to proceed to my destination, at that time and at great risk to my health.
The above is in addition, to the fact that both the cabin crew and the pilot, were extremely rude and unprofessional.
I consider this situation, as untoward and a blemish, on your image, as a corporate entity and given the fact that, I am on your frequent flyer scheme.
DEMAND.
1. A letter of apology, to be personally written, to all the passengers, on that flight and a copy to be published, in at least one [1] daily newspaper, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of this email.
2. Evidence of the email, mentioned above must be sent to me, by email within 48 hours.
3. The Letter must contain, an undertaking that, no such future occurrence, will be occasioned again, at your instance/behest, either directly or through any of your staff.
Please be assured of my highest regards.
Yours faithfully,
A. M. Kotoye, FCTI.