Nigerian recording artist, Nikki Laoye, recently joined the growing list of customers dissatisfied with Arik Airlines.
The 35-year-old singer who recently returned to Nigerian from the U.K aboard the airline expressed her anger on micro-blogging site, Twitter.
According to the singer, she had a terrible experience with the airline, its customer service and the rule of only one hand luggage.
Read her tweets:
As expected, the airline that is known for over-booking it’s flights, says the singer’s claim that she was mistreated by their staff is misleading.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Arik air stated;
Our attention has been drawn to a post by Nikky Laoye who flew Arik Air from London to Lagos where she alleged being charged for an extra hand luggage she carried.
While we appreciate Nikky for choosing to fly with us, we disagree with her claim of being cheated. She was in possession of two hand luggage which weigh above our baggage allowance of 12kg.
We always encourage our guests to familiarize themselves with our terms and conditions of carriage which is clearly outlined on our website.
To buttress its claims, the airline also included its policy on hand luggage allowance in the statement:
Hand Baggage Allowance: For all Arik Air flights, the hand baggage allowance is ONE PIECE weighing a maximum of 12 kg International/Regional flights and 6 Kg domestic flights (maximum dimensions allowed are 55cms x 35 x 25cms).
Please check your fare rules as this allowance may differ depending on travel class.
Hand baggage includes those items which passengers may take into the aircraft and store under the seat in front or in the overhead storage compartments.
Common examples include:
1. A bag, not exceeding 55x35x25cm, such as a handbag or a briefcase or a laptop computer
2. One overcoat or raincoat
3. An umbrella or walking stick
4. One camera, one video camera or one portable CD player
5. A reasonable quantity of newspapers, magazines or books for the journey
6. Items bought at the airport ‘Duty Free’ shop in limited quantity and dimension
7. Food for infants necessary during the journey
8. One carry-cot or folding pram
9. One folding wheelchair, a set of crutches or similar devices on which a disabled passenger may be dependent.
Your cabin bag will be checked at the gate. If you arrive at the gate with more than one item or it exceeds the above dimensions/weight, your bag will need to be checked into the hold.
We reserve the right to collect an excess baggage fee or to cancel your reservation and to deny your boarding.
We will keep you posted as the drama unfolds.