Dana Air’s failure to carry out a scheduled flight from Abuja to Lagos last night may have landed it in big trouble.
This is because an affected passenger who allegedly missed an important business meeting in Abeokuta as a result is threatening to sue the airline to the tune of N50 million for damages.
The passenger, gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Ogun State in the last election, who is also an entrepreneur, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi had, alongside other passengers expected to be airlifted by Dana flight 356, via its aircraft 9J but the aircraft failed to arrive.
Worse, there was neither a genuine concern nor explanation by the airline management despite the restlessness of the stranded passengers many of who had earlier reassured waiting clients and family members back in Lagos and Abeokuta.
Ajadi argued that Dana Air has breached its duties under the civil aviation Act of 2006, Warsaw convention of 1929 and Montreal convention of 1999 which are all domesticated and applicable in Nigeria,
“This act of negligence and breach of contract has made me unable to meet an important business meeting scheduled for Abeokuta” a livid Ajadi had blurted.
He said in addition to the business meeting, that his workforce who were waiting for briefing towards next day production, and entire household in Abeokuta were all nerves throughout the night fearing the worst.
Ajadi wondered why such an airline could not keep its bargain and worse, just abandoning trusting passengers with all its attendant hazards.
Recalling similar incidents in the recent, he called on the relevant authorities like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to wade in and ensure the airlines live up to their contractual obligations.
“The bad maltreatment of Nigerians and other air passengers by these airlines should stop, and I am taking up the matter to serve as deterrent”, Ajadi said
It was gathered that the airline on Friday night did not provide the aircraft scheduled to convey passengers to Lagos, despite a 50 minutes extension from the earlier scheduled 9:30 pm departure time.