Nigerian leading airline, Air Peace, has challenged Senator Adam Oshiomhole to provide evidence of its officials shortchanging passengers.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, had on Wednesday disrupted flight schedules at the Lagos Aiport.
Air Peace later alleged that Oshiomhole clashed with its staff and disrupted flight operation simply because the senator missed his flight.
In response, the former Governor of Edo State narrated his side of what transpired with the airline at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, Zulu Hall.
He accused Air Peace of preventing him and other passengers from boarding from Lagos to Abuja despite doing online check-in, saying that officials were selling air tickets on the spot at inflated prices to willing buyers.
Responding in a statement on Wednesday night, Air Peace said the Senator lied blatantly when he, among other things, accused it of extorting its passengers.
It challenged Senator Oshiomole to provide evidence of a passenger who was extorted.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomole against Air Peace.
“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 this, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the Airline.
We call on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see. His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”