Some passengers arriving the country have kicked against the continued delay of their luggage by Paris-based AirFrance.
It was learnt that a number of the passengers who arrived the country ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations had yet to pick up their checked-in bags as of January 4, 2024.
Passengers told The PUNCH that over two weeks after their arrival into the country, they had yet to see their bags.
The PUNCH findings show that the development marred the Christmas and New Year celebrations of many travellers arriving the country, while a number of other travellers who came for weddings and other programmes were badly affected.
A passenger, who identified himself as Mr Kunle Adekola, said he came into the country with his family for the Yuletide celebrations via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on December 20, 2023.
He expressed anger that as of January 4, 2024, his family had yet to get their luggage.
“We came in to Abuja on December 20, 2023. We are leaving back to the United States tomorrow and our luggage have yet to arrive. It has been very traumatic and sad,” the angry passenger said.
Also, a traveller, Mrs Caroline Ebube, said it was so sad that despite paying high fares, AirFrance still maltreated her.
“It is so sad. Families are going back without their luggage. It’s a nightmare for most folks and the tickets are triple the cost. Yet we are being subjected to this pain,” she lamented.
Also, a passenger who reportedly flew from US on December 19 in Business Class via Abuja, lamented the delay in the arrival of his bag from Paris.
Further findings show passengers who arrived between December 20 and 22, 2023, were the worst hit as the majority of them did not get their luggage.
Industry stakeholders have reacted to the ugly development.
Assistant General Secretary of Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, said, “This travel season witnesses an influx of Nigerians for Christmas, leading to excess luggage that some airlines struggle to manage.”
He suggested that passengers must go beyond social media complaints and formally address issues with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
“A letter outlining the problems, specifically mentioning AirFrance with the attached necessary information, is the initial step.
“Drawing parallels with past incidents, such as with EgyptAir, could guide the approach. Passengers should utilise proper channels and allow regulators to intervene, considering the availability of aviation lawyers to navigate the situation,” Ohunayo noted.
The Director-General of Finum Aviation, Sheri Kyari, told The PUNCH, “While I lack specific details, a 10-day delay is unusually prolonged and abnormal for passengers not to retrieve their luggage upon arrival.
“Such issues ideally shouldn’t extend beyond two days. It’s crucial to investigate whether this luggage situation affects all passengers,” he said.
The Country Manager, AirFrance, Christine Quantin, could not be reached for immediate comments.
Response to an email sent to her was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.
However, top officials of the airline in Abuja linked the delays to several challenges including logistics, and delays in transit.
