E. K. Gwuru (pseudonym), an Abuja-based businessman, has accused Ibom Air of withholding his N416,100 after initially agreeing to refund him, albeit with a 25 per cent deduction from an original N554,800, following issues with his flight change.
Gwuru told FIJ that he chose to cancel his and his family’s flights with Ibom Air because it gave him a ridiculous ultimatum for what he claimed was the airline’s fault.
He said he booked a one-way flight for himself, his wife and their two children on October 22 for N554,800 from Abuja to Port Harcourt on December 30. However, Gwuru later changed the itinerary to ‘Port Harcourt to Abuja’ and paid an additional N20,000 on the airline’s website.
Despite the additional payment, his itinerary did not change. Guru said he emailed Ibom Air to inquire why his booking still reflected the old route. A customer care representative admitted that the airline had received his payment but said his new route did not reflect due to a network glitch.
READ ALSO: 3 Days After FIJ’s Story, First Bank Refunds Asaba Resident’s N100,000
“They then said I should pay another N20,000 and forward my account details for them to refund the first one I paid. I didn’t like the idea, so I told them I had no money to pay again. I also told them to go back and fix the issue,” Gwuru told FIJ.
The next email Gwuru received from Ibom Air contained an ultimatum. The airline said he had until the following day to make another payment of N20,000. Gwuru said this infuriated him, prompting him to request a full refund.
The email with the ultimatum from Ibom Air
“They said instead of cancelling my flight, I could leave it open for up to a year. I told them I wanted a refund. They agreed but said they would deduct 25 per cent of my N554,800 because I cancelled my flight,” he said.
The source’s proof of payment.
“I told them they couldn’t do that because I didn’t choose not to fly with them. Had they not breached their contract by asking me to pay another N20,000, I wouldn’t have cancelled my flight. I later agreed to the 25 per cent deduction when they insisted.”
READ ALSO: After FIJ’s Story, Access Bank Returns Lagos Businessman’s $23.70
According to Gwuru, on December 8, Ibom Air refunded the N20,000 he had paid for the itinerary change and promised to pay the remaining N416,100 by January 8.
The airline’s response to the source’s email after FIJ’s feedback.
“On January 8, I didn’t get a refund. I emailed them, and they said they had a network glitch. Till now, they keep saying they are processing my refund. They are holding my money when I need it for other things. They can’t keep my money and keep blaming a network glitch,” Gwuru said.
When FIJ emailed Ibom Air for comments, a representative requested the source’s booking reference code. After FIJ provided it, the representative asked our reporter to tell the source to email them directly.
After Gwuru emailed the airline, the company responded that they were working on his refund.
The post Ibom Air Withholds Abuja Businessman’s N416,100 Refund for 6 Weeks appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.