Air Peace Assures Safety And Comfort For Passengers

Air Peace has reassured air travellers that it will not spare any effort to ensure their safety and comfort.

Also, that it will continue to adhere strictly to the Standards and Recommended Practices(SARPs) as stipulated by ICAO.

The airline gave the assurance while clarifying a report of an alleged security scare involving its Port-Harcourt-Abuja flight at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Sunday. 

A statement issued on the incident by the Corporate Communications Manager of the airline, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said: “On Sunday, November 13, 2016, a passenger on an Air Peace Port Harcourt-Abuja flight, Mr. Asuelimen Osenmhen, called the attention of the crew to the fact that he apparently boarded the wrong flight. The passenger, who booked his Port Harcourt-Abuja flight online and checked in almost late at about 9 a.m., informed the crew that he was billed for an appointment in Lagos on Monday, November 14, 2016.

“Upon being alerted to the development, the Captain in Command of the flight, who was already taxiing for take-off on the runway, returned to the tarmac and FAAN security personnel at the Port Harcourt International Airport were called in to assess the situation. The passenger was eventually taken in by FAAN security team for interrogation.

“During interrogation, the passenger said he intended travelling to Lagos for a job interview. He explained that his sister, who did the online booking for him, mistakenly booked an Abuja-Port Harcourt flight for him. He added that he neither saw the error nor paid attention to the boarding announcements until the crew made the final announcement before take-off. It was also discovered that the passenger was a first-time air traveller.

“Although it was easy to determine that the passenger made an innocent error, Air Peace insisted on a second security check because of the uncompromising premium we place on the safety of our passengers and operations. The Anti-Bomb Squad was called in and the aircraft was thoroughly scanned.

“Satisfied that there was no security threat whatsoever, our Port Harcourt-Abuja passengers boarded afresh. The aircraft eventually took off and landed safely at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 11.03 a.m. The passenger, Mr. Asuelimen Osenmhen was not bearing any nylon bags, nor were the passengers on board the aircraft ‘forced’ to disembark as it was erroneously reported. The second security check on the aircraft and the fresh screening of the Port Harcourt-Abuja passengers were simply undertaken in keeping with Air Peace’s pledge to always prioritise the safety of our passengers. It was an extra precautionary measure.