By Chidi Ugwu
Air Peace Limited has vehemently denied allegations that it sold tickets to Jamaica and “dumped” passengers in Barbados, calling recent media reports “misleading and inaccurate.”
The airline issued a statement refuting claims of deceptive sales practices, insisting all tickets complied with international aviation regulations.
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The controversy arose during pre-departure checks at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, where some passengers lacked required transit visas for routes via Antigua to destinations like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
In response, Air Peace offered full refunds to affected travelers. While some accepted, 42 passengers voluntarily requested rerouting through Barbados—a route requiring no transit visa for Nigerian passport holders—and the airline accommodated them at their express request.
“No passenger was forced, coerced, or compelled,” the statement emphasized.
However, an operational delay caused the group to miss onward connections in Barbados. The connecting airline refused to honor their tickets, stranding them.
Additional issues included declined credit card hotel bookings and Barbados immigration concerns over return dates set for December 31, 2025, despite plans to stay longer without clear travel arrangements.
Immigration authorities denied entry to 25 passengers on a case-by-case basis, while allowing 67 others to proceed.
Air Peace stressed it provided refunds, on-ground assistance, and safe return options, acting “responsibly and in good faith.”
The airline urged media to verify facts with stakeholders to avoid misinforming the public and reaffirmed its commitment to customer care.
