Arik Air blames ‘bad weather’ as passengers protest being stranded at PH airport

Arik Air says its passengers were stranded at the Port Harcourt Airport on April 3 due to bad weather.

The airline said the passengers were not left stranded intentionally.

On April 3, some passengers of Arik Air were seen in a viral video complaining that they were left stranded at the Port Harcourt Airport.

According to the passengers, their flight was cancelled on April 2 and rescheduled for April 3, however, the airline delayed the flight adding that refunds can only be done after eight months.

Providing clarification to the event, Adebanji Ola, public relations communications manager of the airline, on Thursday, said it was imperative that the airline provides clarity on the matter to avoid misconception.

He said on the day of the event, flight W3 744 (Lagos to Port Harcourt) was compelled to make an air return due to adverse weather conditions, specifically heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Port Harcourt.

He also said the airline eventually cancelled both the Lagos-Port Harcourt (W3 744) and Port Harcourt-Lagos (W3 745) flights.

According to Ola, 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,” he said.

“On Wednesday, April 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.”

Ola said passengers’ 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 the inconveniences caused to its passengers by the travel plan disruption.