Hundreds of passengers traveling to Abuja on Wednesday were delayed for more than three hours by a privately owned Nigerian airline called Air Peace, according to passengers.
According to an investigation by our correspondent, the worn-out passengers were waiting to catch their delayed flight at the airport’s departure gate.
Cyril Paul, a disgruntled passenger, informed our correspondent that despite the delay, the airline’s management did nothing to help the passengers even though they had arrived at the airport before midday on Wednesday.
Paul said, “We have been at the airport before noon today, and Air Peace has refused to pick us up and take us to Abuja for no just cause. There are so many people here – hundreds of them, and we’re all exhausted.
“The airline company, Air Peace, just sent messages to passengers at about 04:00 pm, to inform us that our Abuja-bound flights would take off by 07:30 pm.”
Another passenger who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “Air Peace is just nonchalant about the welfare of its customers. We have been delayed here for over three hours and they’re not doing anything to salvage the situation. I, just like many other passengers here, might not patronize the airline after tonight considering this unfortunate experience. The same Air Peace has been flying to other cities, but they’ve refused to take passengers to Lagos, and they are not telling us why.”
A message seen by our correspondent reads, “Dear Esteemed Passenger, your 4:35 PM flight from PORT HARCOURT to ABUJA has been delayed due to UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. We are sorry for the delay and are working to get you on your way. Your flight 7195 now departs at 7:30 PM today, 21ST SEPTEMBER, 2022 from PORT HARCOURT (PHC) and arrives at ABUJA (ABV) at 8:30 PM. We honestly understand the resulting inconvenience and regret the effect of this unexpected time change on your travel plans. Please, bear with us”.
Efforts to speak to the management of Air Peace proved abortive at press time.
