Nigeria: Passengers, Airline Disagree Over Cancelled Lagos-London Flight

Tempers flared yesterday morning at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, as Medview Airline “suddenly” cancelled a scheduled flight to London.

The passengers, in their numbers, frowned on the “unfriendly conduct” of the operator, alleging that they were not carried along.

But for the intervention of men of the Nigerian Police, the chaos that ensued almost led to a free-for-all between the aggrieved passengers and some officials on ground.

One of the passengers told The Guardian that “it was quite embarrassing that one of the country’s flag carriers (Medview) would treat fellow Nigerians with no form of regard.”

“We were seated for about three hours without any word from the airline. Normally, you’d think it is just a delay. But it was so shocking to later hear that they have no fuel and the flight has been cancelled. Just like that without prior notice? That is not fair,” she said.

It was gathered that many of the passengers were making their respective inaugural flights outside the country and are worried about the reception arrangement already perfected in London.

Another female passenger complained that she has a medical appointment today, which had been pending in the last six months, wondering how the appointment could be rescheduled with the tight schedule as a physiotherapist.

With British Air and some other foreign airlines serving fairly hiked fares on the London route, the likes of Medview and Arik Airlines have attracted more passengers due to their affordable ticket fares.

Meanwhile, the company has insisted that it informed the passengers early enough.

The Public Relations Officer, Obuke Oyibotha, regretted the development, though failed to confirm if it was due to fuel shortage.

Oyibotha assured that Medview remained committed to serving the Nigerian public.

The Guardian