Ibom Air has denied the ticket racketeering allegation levelled against it at the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) station, describing the claim as baseless.
A statement by Aniekan Essienette, the General Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Air, said that its staff operate with the highest level of integrity and are committed to serving the customers fairly and transparently.
Essienette maintained that this commitment was at the core of the airline’s operations and assured that it would continue to ensure that its ticketing process remained transparent.
She explained that this had become necessary to educate its passengers and the public on some aviation rules.
On flight closures, the statement hinted that its policy, in keeping with international standards, that check-ins close 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights.
This was to ensure timely departures and minimizes delays and appealed to the passengers to arrive on time for their flights to make for a comfortable and stress-free travel experience, the airline said.
She added that in handling “go slow” passengers, the airline adheres to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) guidelines in handling such passengers.
“These passengers arrive early without a pre-booked ticket and are duly informed if the flight is full. It is strictly their informed decision to be waitlisted as ‘Go show’ passengers, and they are accommodated only if seats are available after all booked, early, and on-time passengers have been served.
“Ibom Air operates under strict ethical standards, and our staff are prohibited from engaging in any form of racketeering or corruption. We ensure our ticketing process is transparent and secure, leaving no room for such practices. Any attempt to undermine these standards will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken” she said.
The airline assured that it would continue to act in the best interest of passengers, while upholding operational excellence in the industry.