Passenger Condemns Unfair Treatment by Ethiopian Airlines

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Passenger Experiences with Ethiopian Airlines Raise Concerns

A passenger has raised serious concerns about his travel experience with Ethiopian Airlines, citing a series of unsatisfactory events during a flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Guangzhou, China. The complainant, Abdulrasaq Ajani, described the situation as deeply troubling and highlighted multiple issues that arose during his journey.

Ajani and his son initially booked a one-way ticket through an agent website, intending to transit in Hanoi, Vietnam. However, Ethiopian Airlines informed them that their booking was "incorrect" and insisted on changing the flight date. This forced rescheduling came with additional complications, including a new requirement for Ajani's 30-day visit visa, which mandated that his return flight be through Ethiopia. He found this imposition unnecessary and unfair, especially since he had already purchased a return ticket with EgyptAir due to another engagement in Cairo.

The passenger also mentioned that his son, who was holding a three-year study visa in China, was required to buy a return ticket despite not needing to return until after the third year of his studies. According to Ajani, the journey was originally scheduled for Sunday, but they had to return to the airport on the following Thursday for the rescheduled flight. Upon arrival, they were told that his son's application form had expired by two days. They were asked to obtain an extension email from the Chinese school, which proved impossible due to the time difference. After several interactions with staff, they were pressured to purchase a return ticket for his son immediately, even though he had a valid study visa.

Ajani noted that while the flight from Lagos to Addis Ababa went smoothly, the problems began on the second leg of their journey from Addis Ababa to Guangzhou. He described delays at check-in, which affected the scheduled take-off time. These prolonged delays and the lack of clear communication caused significant distress among passengers, with some considering disembarking. The pilot had to repeatedly calm the passengers and reassure them about the aircraft's safety.

Ajani called on the relevant authorities to address specific grievances, including the forced purchase of a return ticket for a passenger with a three-year visa and the mandatory requirement for him to purchase a return flight through Ethiopia. He emphasized that he had shown the manager his return ticket with EgyptAir, which also insisted that he must use it before the end of the next year.

As of press time, Ethiopian Airlines had not issued an official response to the complaint. However, a source close to the airline provided some background on the issue, stating that the son, who was holding a student visa, could not provide an admission letter or evidence of payment of school fees. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that Ethiopian Airlines is still investigating the matter and would release a report when appropriate.

According to the source, the student's visa did not match his travel pattern, and the airline might be trying to prevent a situation where the student could be deported. Ethiopia has been conducting numerous deportations, and airlines often bear the cost of such actions. The source added that the matter is under investigation, but the visa documentation did not align with the travel plans, and the necessary documents, including the admission letter and proof of school fees, were not provided.