PASSENGERS AT HEATHROW….GUARDIAN(UK)
No fewer than 400 passengers of a British Airways flight from Nigeria have been stranded in Lagos since Friday due to information technology (IT) problems the airline is experiencing.
Some passengers, however, were flown out of Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Saturday by KLM Airlines, while others were flown to Heathrow-London by Virgin Atlantic on Sunday morning.
Our correspondent gathered that the British Airways passengers who were not flown out on either of the flights were provided with complimentary hotel bookings.
The IT problems have led to thousands of passengers of the airline having their flights disrupted and canceled.
Some of the passengers described the situation as “chaotic,” with some criticizing British Airlines for poor communication with passengers.
The airline has, however, apologized to its passengers and advised them not to come to the airport until the issue is resolved.
Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, a source close to the airline disclosed that the Heathrow-Lagos British Airways flight had departed London and would land in Lagos at “any moment from now,” but as at the time of filing this report at the airport, the aircraft was yet to land.
Our corresponded also noted that British Airways counter staff were present at the airport attending to passengers.
The source told our correspondent that those who were booked in hotels requested for the service, stressing that the moment operations are stabilized, they would be the first to be considered by the airline.
“Our passengers have always been our priority. Some of them who insisted on going as scheduled were put in other airlines that are available to London. In this area, Virgin and KLM have been helpful. Some of the passengers were booked into hotels,” he explained.
“This set of passengers would be given priority when we operate. However, the flight from Heathrow to Lagos for today has departed and it is scheduled to land in Lagos in the evening. We hope to airlift passengers from Lagos Airport to London at night.”
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