Air Peace And The Emir: Lessons From My Experience
The Oasis Reporters
February 27, 2022
The headlines have been sensational. Both sides have been vehement in their stance. If you run with one version, you may end up on the wrong side. I read both, and to take my position, I had to dig into personal experience when I was involved in a similar situation.
Over a decade ago, I was returning to PH from London. I had traveled via a Nigerian owned airline, the international arm of which has now been rested. The itinerary back was Heathrow-Lagos-PH, all on the same airline. There was a DELAY and we landed late in Lagos. For no fault of mine, I was on the verge of missing a connecting flight. The airline wouldn’t let that happen and stepped up to remedy things.
A bus was dispatched by the airline to quickly pick me from the international wing to the domestic wing and I was boarded in a fully loaded flight. I could feel the piercing rays from the eyes of the passengers who were probably wondering who the hell this guy was.
I can understand Air Peace’s position of trying to shield the Emir from such angry “rays”.
Anyway, I was boarded. I am not an Emir.
In 2015, I was returning to Nigeria from Washington DC. My itinerary was DC-Atlanta-Lagos. I boarded on time, and the doors were shut on time. The pilot was to later inform us that he has not been given clearance to fly, due to bad weather. The clearance didn’t come until 2 hours later.
Despite racing through the lengthy Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to try and catch my connecting flight, I arrived at the boarding gate late. Boarding had ended and the doors of the aeroplane had been shut. Despite my spirited pleas, I was told it was not possible to board me.
I was to get really angry moments later when the boarding officer told me I would pay for my hotel, where I would stay till the next day. At that point, I insisted that I needed to speak to his manager. By this time three other Nigerian women had arrived with the same complaint. We were now a community of angry Nigerians. At that point, the manager came in on hearing our voices. He listened to my explanation that I can’t be made to pay for a flight delay on my connecting flight (actually, their own flight).
He asked me to wait for him, and walked to the door of the aircraft. He knocked and they refused to open. I saw him beckon on the air hostess to open. Eventually they did, and after about 3 minutes of exchange, they boarded us.
For the first time, I boarded a flight to an unwelcoming crew. Dem just comot face make I suffer find where my seat dey.
I boarded all the same, despite their frowns. I didn’t need to be a king.
Truth is, in the aviation circles, they frown at delaying flights to wait for a few connecting passengers, no matter how highly placed. Air Peace has a point there. I wouldn’t be happy if I’m boarded and a flight is delayed for long because of a late passenger. However, from the same aviation best practices, an airline should make proper arrangements for connecting flights delayed. It was not the Emir’s fault that Air Peace delayed the international leg of the flight. The Emir has a strong case here. Best practices should not be selectively applied.
Final Position: While there is a limit to how long a flight can be delayed to make room for connecting flights (and it is possible they may have exceeded this limit in this instance), however, I believe that this could have been handled better by the airline. They delayed the international leg and every passenger has the right to be upset for flight delays, particularly, when that affects your connecting flight.
Air Peace should improve in their strategic communication. I have read a few of their press releases (not necessarily this) and they don’t seem to show any empathy, and in some cases sound a bit arrogant. They need to be more empathetic, responsive and responsible.
Written by Engr. Tombari Sibe.
