Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) expressed dismay on Friday over the conduct of former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport, calling it unacceptable and yet another example of the growing trend of unruly passenger behaviour experienced by domestic carriers.
Professor Obiora Okonkwo, AON spokesperson, expressed regret that two days after the event, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had not clarified what had happened.
Okonkwo remarked as Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, instructed relevant aviation agencies to investigate the dispute.
A spokesperson for the AON met with reporters in Lagos during a ceremony when 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 speech is only limited to what is allowed within the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the 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 that will not want to carry its passengers. We go through a lot and bend ourselves to satisfy our passengers.”
Meanwhile, 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 judgement.
“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 conduct in similar situations.”
