I have decided to leave the Airport Authority out of today's post (abit at least), it is the story of multiple errors that sounds almost unbelievable. The real culprits here are Airline staff as well as MM2 (the new domestic airport) staff.
Scene 1: Mr A approaches "G Airways" to check in to Abuja. After the check in process, he is advised to proceed to the waiting area which is on the third floor of the new airport (MM2). While he awaits, various airlines are boarding at the same time and he just gets up to "Follow the Crowd" as all checked in passengers wait in the lounge till boarding is announced.
Scene 2: Mr A gets to Gate 3/4 (they both have the same entrance , and split within the Avio bridge to 2 different Aircrafts / airlines).
While "G Airways" to Abuja was boarding at Gate 3 , Gate 4 was occupied by "H Air" boarding to Calabar. He joins the right queue quite alright but misses his way in the Avio bridge only to find himself in the "H Air" flight to Calabar.
He only realised his error when he got to Calabar. He raised the alarm and had to be brought back to Lagos for free, and subsequently handed over to "G Airways" to connect to Abuja. He therefore flew 3 times Lagos - Calabar , Calabar - Lagos, Lagos to Abuja, (about 4 hours) instead of the 1hr Lagos - Abuja flight.
Comedy of errors you ask? Well, 1st was the passenger; "How did he board the wrong airline" their colours are different. 2, While boarding he should have noticed the uniforms. 3, before take off, an announcement of destination is always made!!
Airline staff that boarded the passenger at the entrance of the Aircraft with another Airlines' boarding pass made a grave mistake!! Secondly, how did the Passenger figure on board tally with the manifest? If "H Air" had 90 passengers going to Calabar, and an extra passenger (with G Airways boarding pass to Abuja) boards, the figures can NEVER TALLY, and that flight should never have been allowed to go!
And lastly, there is no security within the Avio bridges to direct passengers so a lot of passengers actually get lost within the bridge because all 6 gates are linked!
Remember, always pay attention to details, read signs and keep your ears OPEN!!
