Ibom Air, the Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, has firmly denied recent allegations regarding ticket racketeering and mishandling of flight check-ins at its Port Harcourt station.
In a statement released on Monday by Aniekan Essienette, the airline’s general manager of marketing and communication, the company categorically rejected the accusations, calling them “baseless,” and said it is committed to transparency and ethical operations.
“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,” Essienette said.
“We categorically reject these baseless claims. Our staff operates 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.”
Ibom Air stated that its check-in policy aligns with international standards and requires check-ins to close 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights to ensure timely departures and minimise delays.
The airline urged passengers to arrive on time to avoid any inconvenience.
Regarding “Go-show” passengers—those who arrive without a pre-booked ticket—Ibom Air stated that such passengers are only accommodated if seats are available after all booked and on-time passengers have been served.
The airline made it clear that the decision to be waitlisted as a “Go-show” passenger is entirely up to the individual, and they are informed beforehand if the flight is full.
“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,” the statement added.
