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, highlighting a series of unsatisfactory events during a flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Guangzhou, China. The individual, Abdulrasaq Ajani, shared his account of the challenges he and his son faced during what was supposed to be a straightforward journey.

Ajani initially booked a one-way ticket through an agent website, planning to transit in Hanoi, Vietnam. However, Ethiopian Airlines informed him that the booking was incorrect and insisted on changing the flight date. This led to additional complications, as the airline imposed a new requirement on his 30-day visit visa, mandating that his return flight must go through Ethiopia. Ajani found this requirement unnecessary and unfair, especially since he had already purchased a return ticket with EgyptAir for an engagement in Cairo.

The situation became even more complicated when his son, who held a three-year study visa in China, was also required to buy a return ticket, which Ajani considered unnecessary given the length of his son’s visa. According to Ajani, their original journey was scheduled for Sunday, but they were forced 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, leading to further stress and confusion.

Ajani explained that they were asked to obtain an extension email from the Chinese school, which was impossible due to the time difference. After extensive back-and-forth with airline staff, they were instructed to purchase a return ticket for his son on the spot, despite his valid three-year study visa. He felt pressured and had no choice but to comply with the request.

The flight from Lagos to Addis Ababa went smoothly, but the problems began on the second leg of the journey from Addis Ababa to Guangzhou. Ajani reported that the check-in process was delayed, causing the flight to be unusually late. This delay significantly impacted the scheduled take-off time and created a lot of distress among passengers. Some even wanted to disembark, and the pilot had to repeatedly calm them down 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 his son, who did not need to return until after the end of his third year of study. He also pointed out the mandatory requirement for him to purchase a return flight through Ethiopia due to his 30-day visa, despite having shown the manager a return ticket with EgyptAir, which also required him to use the ticket 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 information, stating that the son holding the student visa could not provide an admission letter or evidence of payment of school fees. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, mentioned that Ethiopian Airlines is still investigating the matter and will release a report when appropriate.

The source added that the son’s visa did not align with his travel pattern, and the airline might be trying to prevent a situation where the student would be deported. Ethiopia has been conducting numerous deportations, and airlines often bear the cost of such actions. The source emphasized that the issue is under investigation, but the visa mismatch and lack of necessary documents remain significant concerns.

This case highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency in the airline industry, particularly when dealing with international travelers and complex visa requirements. It also underscores the need for airlines to ensure that their policies do not place undue pressure on passengers, especially those with long-term visas or specific travel plans.