Africa’s biggest carrier, Ethiopia Airlines has denied the collection of unauthoritsed charges, as alleged by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and explained that due to the frequent deportation of Nigerians by South Africa authorities, the airline introduced the charges for passengers with one-way tickets who may be deported on arrival by South Africa government.
THISDAY learnt that South Africa since the beginning of this year has been deporting Nigerians with resident permits, so when they buy one-way ticket as residents and they are deported, expenses are incurred taking them back to the airport of departure, which is Addis Ababa, from where they are returned to Nigeria.
A statement issued by the airline yesterday noted, “Ethiopian Airlines doesn’t charge any unauthorised fees on this route. However; since many passengers have been denied entry in to South Africa by the immigration authorities for various reasons, and these passengers have been inconvenienced during their stay at Johannesburg airport before they were returned back to their airport of departure, they were asked to deposit the mentioned amount to cover their incidental expenses in case they are denied entry. This amount has always been refunded to the passengers when they have been allowed entry in to South Africa.”
NCAA on Sunday alleged that the airline has been charging passengers $75 to $150 refundable fees and directed it to stop the charge forwith.
Ethiopia Airlines said, “NCAA notified us on some customer complaints on this matter and we are discussing with the authority how to handle the matter through diplomatic channels between Nigerian and South African Governments in the spirit of African brotherhood.”
The airline remarked that Ethiopian Airlines has served the people of Nigeria for the past 57 years and have proved to be a partner in progress.
“Recently when all foreign airlines refused to fly to Kaduna Ethiopian was the only one that flew to Kaduna. Ethiopian was the only airline that agreed to fly to Enugu airport. Ethiopian Airlines stands with the people of Nigeria for now and in the foreseeable future,” it said.
THISDAY
