The management of Air Peace Airline has debunked the allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that it extorted passengers and sold tickets at exorbitant rates after closing the counter.

It would be recalled the management of the airline had accused the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District of disrupting its flight operations after he (Oshiomhole) missed the 6:30 a.m. flight last Wednesday morning.

Oshiomhole, in his response, accused the airline of selling ticket of N146,000 for N200,000 to N300,000 to passengers at the counter.

However, Air Peace in a statement posted on its X handle @flyairpeace, said that the Senator lied blatantly when he accused the airline of extorting its passengers.

The statement read in part: “We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to bring evidence of a passenger that was extorted.

“None of our members of staff ever extorted any passenger. In fact, no ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on that flight. Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure.”

“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. In fact, the aircraft took off with over 30 empty seats. It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats; but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains.

“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomhole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to foment trouble.

“He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt, preventing the check-in process of other flights. He also barricaded the entrance gate and prevented access to the terminal. While he was doing all these, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the Airline.”

The Airline, therefore, urged the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomhole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see, saying: “His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”