Metro
Arik Air engine fail leaves passengers stranded
An Arik Air aircraft scheduled to convey passengers to Abuja from the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Imo state has been grounded, leaving passengers stranded after an engine failure.
Ripples Nigeria gathered through a source who was on the plane that after the passengers boarded the plane, one of the engines was unable to come up, and they were instructed to disembark for an alternative flight.
The airline however, made no alternative arrangement to ensure that the passengers continue their journey.
“We boarded the plane around 10am, and couldn’t fly because one engine wasn’t able to come up, we were told to come down and await the next available flight to Abuja which we did”, the source stated.
Arik earlier told the passengers that there would be an alternative flight which will be coming in from Port Harcourt, but as of the time of filing this report, there was no flight to convey the passengers.
“When we came down, we were told to exercise patient, that there were plans for another plane coming in from Port Harcourt, we’ve been waiting and so far there’s nothing to show for it”
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After hours of waiting without getting a response from Arik Air management, the annoyed passengers reportedly demanded for a refund of their money.
“It’s obvious they can’t make it according to what they are saying, what we are asking for is a refund of our money”, the source further stated.
As the pressure for a refund grew, the management of Arik Air is said to have issued out refund forms to the passengers to fill. But many of the passengers said they were not satisfied, saying that according to the form, the money will be refunded in about a weeks’ time
“We were told to fill a form, but it’s unfair, after keeping us here since 10am, you expect us to fill a form and expect our money in a weeks’ time”, the aggrieved passenger lamented.
Most of the passengers who opted to fly the next day were also disappointed as Arik Air told them there was no flight scheduled from Owerri to Abuja for Wednesday and Thursday.
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