- By Halimah Olamide
Arik Air has linked its alleged abandonment of passengers at the Port Harcourt airport to bad weather. The airline said on Thursday that the development was not intentional saying it takes safety of its flyers more important than anything else.
Explaining this in a statement signed by Mr. Adebanji Ola, Public Relations/Communications Manager of the airline, on Thursday Arik said it is imperative that the airline provides clarity on the matter to avoid misconception.
He said that on March 2 evening, the flight W3 744 (Lagos to Port Harcourt) was compelled to make air return due to adverse weather conditions, specifically heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Port Harcourt.
Ola said that the airline eventually cancelled both the Lagos-Port Harcourt (W3 744) and Port Harcourt-Lagos (W3 745) flights.
According to him, at the time of the cancellation, banking facilities at the airport had closed, making funds unfeasible.
“However, passengers were promptly briefed on the situation and advised to return the following day for accommodation on available flights.
“On Wednesday, March 3, all the affected passengers from both Lagos and Port Harcourt were successfully accommodated on available morning and evening flights.
“No single passenger was left stranded at Port Harcourt Airport,” he said.
Ola said that safety remained a foremost priority of Arik Air.
“We maintain a strict policy to avoid flying in inclement weather conditions, which necessitated cancellation of the flights,” he said.
Ola said that the airline regretted inconveniences caused its passengers by the travel plan disruption.
Some passengers of Arik Air were seen in a viral video complaining that they were left stranded at the Port Harcourt Airport on March 2.