Nigeria’s major carrier Air Peace has reacted to allegations levelled against the airline by Senator Adams Oshiomhole over its refusal to board him in its 6:30 am flight from Lagos to Abuja on Wednesday, alleging the former governor of Edo State arrived late for the flight.

Oshiomhole alleged the airline’s ground staff engaged in ticket racketeering and extortion and refused to board him in the flight, even after he had checked in online, which means he didn’t need additional processing but walk through security screening to the aircraft.

The Senator insisted he was fighting against the airline’s extortion of passengers, saying the airline sold tickets to passengers after it had allegedly closed its counters.

However, Air Peace management in a statement yesterday denied the allegation that its staff was engaged in extortion and ticket racketeering.

The airline accused the former Governor of resorting to violence and disrupting operations at the airport and supported its claims with videos of the Senator blocking the main entrance of the terminal to other airport users.

Air Peace described the allegation of extortion as deliberate falsehood meant to tarnish its good image and to sway attention from the fact of what prompted the incident which was the senator’s late arrival at the terminal after the airline had closed boarding for that particular flight.

“The Senator lied when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted. None of our 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 thirty 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.”, Air Peace said.

Meanwhile, Air Peace has called on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to produce the CCTV coverage of the entire operations to counter or support either claim.

“We call on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see.

“His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful”, the airline added.