Airpeace , Oshiomhole, AON clash as aviation minister, Keyamo orders probe
Airline Operators of Nigeria(AON), have expressed displeasure over the actions of former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, stating that it is unacceptable and another instance of the increasing trend of unruly passenger behaviour that domestic carriers face.
AON spokeswoman Professor Obiora Okonkwo also lamented that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, or FAAN, had not yet disclosed the full extent of the incident two days after it occurred.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, ordered the appropriate aviation agencies to look into the conflict as Okonkwo spoke.
Spokesperson for the AON spoke to newsmen in Lagos during an event where United Nigeria Airlines announced its integration into the SIBAS Global Distribution System, GDS.
He said: “As much as we appreciate and understand that every passenger has a right, your right is only limited to what is allowed within the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, and aviation industry.
“There is no amount of disappointment that gives the right to self-help. We have been talking about unruly behaviour; what you saw was a typical case of unruly behaviour. It is not acceptable. Air Peace is a respected airline; no matter what you say about it, they carry 40 to 50 per cent of the domestic passengers. As such, they deserve respect. It is somebody’s investment.
It is not right to demonise the airline. It is way too far from discussing the issues. We have looked at the things he (Oshiomhole) said, and we do not see any logic. There is no airline who will not want to carry its passengers. We go through a lot and bend ourselves to satisfy our passengers.”
Meanwhile, the aviation minister, Keyamo, on his X handle, stated: “In the wake of the incident at the Lagos Airport last Wednesday involving Air Peace airline and Senator Adams Oshiomhole. I have been in direct contact with both parties since that morning. I also directed the aviation agencies to exercise restraint in jumping to conclusions in line with the time-honoured legal principle of ‘hear all sides’ before reaching judgment.
“Whilst appealing to both sides to halt the public accusations and counter-accusations, I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in such a way as to guide future conducts in similar situations.”
This is coming after Air Peace denied all allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, describing his claims of extortion and overbooking as “deliberate falsehood.”
In a statement signed by the airline’s management and made available on Thursday via X, Air Peace said, “The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted.”
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