As group calls DANA Air to resolve all issues raised
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) has condemned what it is called an unfair treatment of a hearing impaired person by DANA Air.
The unfortunate incident by DANA Air is coming a day after it was reported on the website of Foundation for Investigative Journalism that the airline billed a lady N9,000 extra for being physically challenged.
The group in a statement by its Secretary, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem appealed to DANA Air to urgently resolve all issues raised by Keight Edeh without delay, particularly considering her condition.
The statement reads:
“ We received with shock the news of the unfair treatment of Catherine Edeh( Keight), a Mandela Washington Fellow with hearing impairment (deaf), booked Dana Air and Abuja-Lagos-Enugu Flight at N60,500 only for the Dana Air to reach out to her days later that they do not have Lagos-Enugu bound flight for that day.
“She tried picking another closer date but DANA insisted that they do not have flight going in and out of Enugu for the whole month, and that her money is non-refundable, but her ticket with them is valid for one year.
“She tried booking another flight for her professional engagement but it wasn’t easy because her money is still with DANA.
“She decided to re-route back to Abuja on Tuesday, DANA Air informed her through her brother in-law that the only flight available is N44,000 and her money with them is not up to that and she would have to top up to book the flight.
“Upon further enquiry by Keight’s interpreter, DANA Air said that it’s only one slot is left and it’s N44,000 that she should top up the about N30,000 left with them immediately before another customer takes the seat. The interpreter was also informed that they have cheaper flight of about N28,000 for 7pm on Wednesday, which her balance with them can conveniently take care of. Keight instructed her interpreter to call them again and plead with them to allow her be on the same afternoon flight with her interpreter because darkness is not deaf-friendly and she hears with her eyes and not her ears, hence her preference for afternoon flight.
“Upon hearing that she is deaf passenger, DANA Air response changed. They informed her through her interpreter that; they can’t put her on the same flight with her interpreter because it’s filled up, the N44, 000 7pm flight on Tuesday is no longer available, the N28,000 ticket for 7pm on Wednesday is now N31,500 and almost shockingly.
“Her balance of about N30,000 with them no longer counts and she must pay the N31,500 anew in order to book the 7pm Wednesday flight.
“In the attempt to make the airline see reason why they should shift ground because of Keight’s disability, they insisted she must pay a fresh flight fee because of tax, which sounded very strange. “ The statement added.
The statement further urged the airline to be more considerate of persons living with disability (PLWD).
