After a Persecondnews report of Abuja-bound AirPeace passengers stranded at Lagos airport on Tuesday, April 8, as the airline failed to reschedule their flights, Air Peace says it has introduced a new boarding system to provide a “smoother, more professional travel experience” and
reduce congestion, improve orderliness, and give customers a smoother start to their journeys.
It is also to cater for passengers with special needs, military personnel, and Business Class travellers.
Persecondnews had reported that a group of Abuja-bound AirPeace passengers faced a frustrating ordeal at the MMA terminal in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday morning despite arriving early as many were denied seats on their scheduled 6:30 am flight due to overbooking.
Air Peace Chairman/CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, announced the new boarding system in a statement on Tuesday by the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr Ejike Ndiulo.
“Under the revised system, boarding will now follow this order: military personnel, passengers requiring wheelchairs or special assistance, and Business Class travellers,” Onyema said.
According to him, the move demonstrates Air Peace’s commitment to improving service standards through care, respect, professionalism, and efficiency.
Onyema said the airline understood the “importance of time and comfort” for its passengers.
“This new boarding policy aims to reduce congestion, improve orderliness, and give customers a smoother start to their journeys.”
Onyema noted that the system reflects the airline’s dedication to inclusive and customer-focused service delivery.
He explained that prioritising military personnel and those with mobility needs shows respect for service and accessibility.
“Business Class travellers will also benefit from quicker boarding, in line with the premium experience they expect and deserve. This change is part of our broader effort to build a refreshed service culture,” Onyema said.
He added that Air Peace remains committed to delivering excellence throughout the travel experience, from check-in to landing.
According to Persecondnews, the passengers who arrived as early as 5:15 am or 5:20 am were labeled as “missing” their flights and were unable to secure alternative seats.
Airline officials claimed that subsequent flights, including those at 12:30 pm and evening, were fully booked, leaving the disgruntled passengers unattended and forced to wait in the terminal.
Some passengers resorted to using their travel boxes as makeshift seats, highlighting the chaos and disorganization caused by the airline’s overbooking.
Efforts to reschedule their flights for 12.30pm or evening were unsuccessful as the officials claimed that the flights were fully booked.
A passenger, who gave his name simply as Charles told Persecondnews:” AirPeace is messing up big time. I got here 15 minutes after 5am and they said I have missed my flight as it is fully booked.
“This is very embarrassing and disappointing. They are not serious. So nobody is checking if the available seats on the aircraft are overbooked. It’s a shame.
“The regulatory agency should sanction AirPeace for this. It is becoming a standard practice.”
Mrs Nneka also said:” AirPeace officials especially in Lagos are always happy if people missed their flights. At Lagos AirPeace they are very corrupt. They will exploit you to reschedule your flight.
“Out of frustration, my husband has gone to buy a ticket of Aero Contractors airline to Abuja for lesser amount and he is airborne now.
“He’s a pastor so he can’t afford to miss his ministration. I will also buy another ticket from other airlines and see if I can use the AirPeace ticket for return flight. It’s poor service, poor management.”
A middle-aged man described the treatment given to passengers as appalling and unbefitting.
“This is nonsense. It’s really stressful and it’s unfair to subject people to this kind of inhuman treatment.
“See old people and children being subjected to endless waiting and hanging around. This is too much.”
Persecondnews reports that some passengers who could not withstand the terrible situation especially the aged had to leave out of annoyance.
On the chances of securing seats in case a passenger or some passengers decide to drop, a senior female officer donnig AirPeace uniform said: It is 50-50. It is not really assured that one will get a seat on other flights for the day.
“I’m not promising but if you can hang around for some time, let us see how it goes. Even rescheduling missed flights for tomorrow is not possible as they are fully booked except for Thursday, April 10.”
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