Ibom Air Refutes Ticket Racketeering, Corruption Claims

Ibom Air, the Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, has strongly refuted recent accusations of ticket racketeering at its Port Harcourt station, calling the allegations baseless and without merit.

In a statement released by the airline’s General Manager of Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, on Monday in Uyo, the airline affirmed its commitment to operating under strict ethical guidelines.

Ibom Air emphasized that its staff members are strictly prohibited from engaging in any form of corruption or racketeering, and any violations of these standards are thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed.

Essienette highlighted that Ibom Air maintains stringent policies regarding check-in procedures, closing check-ins 45 minutes before domestic flight departures to ensure timely operations.

She also clarified that the airline adheres strictly to IATA guidelines when dealing with ‘Go-show’ passengers, those who arrive without a pre-booked ticket.

These passengers are informed of their status and are only accommodated if seats remain available after all booked passengers have been checked in.

Essienette reiterated that any attempts to undermine the airline’s ethical standards will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken to address any misconduct.

The statement reads, “Ibom Air has become aware of recent allegations concerning our handling of flight check-ins and ticketing procedures and unfounded accusations of ticket racketeering at our Port Harcourt station.

“We categorically reject these baseless claims. Our staff operate with the highest level of integrity and are committed to serving our customers fairly and transparently. This commitment is at the core of our operations, and we will continue to ensure that our ticketing process remains transparent.

“It is our policy, in keeping with international standards, that check-ins close 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights. This ensures timely departures and minimizes delays. We highly recommend that passengers arrive on time for their flights to make for a comfortable and stress-free travel experience.

I“We adhere to IATA’s guidelines in handling ‘Go-show’ passengers. These passengers arrive early without a pre-booked ticket and are duly informed if the flight is full. It is strictly their informed decision to be waitlisted as “Go show” passengers, and they are accommodated only if seats are available after all booked, early, and on-time passengers have been served.

“Ibom Air operates under strict ethical standards, and our staff are prohibited from engaging in any form of racketeering or corruption. We ensure our ticketing process is transparent and secure, leaving no room for such practices. Any attempt to undermine these standards will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken.

“We value your trust in Ibom Air and are unwavering in our commitment to maintaining the highest service standards. We will continue to act in the best interest of passengers while upholding operational excellence in our industry.”