Fashionable actress drags UNA over flight cancellation

Fashionable Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has known as out United Nigeria Airways over the alleged cancellation of her Ekiti-Lagos flight with out prior notification, a scenario she stated disrupted her movie manufacturing and induced heavy monetary losses.

Ogunmola took to social media on Thursday in a video recorded on the airport, the place she lamented that the airline’s actions left her stranded regardless of a number of rescheduled departure instances.

The actress stated the disruption impacted the primary day of her film shoot in Lagos, regardless of the forged, crew, and gear already being on web site.

She stated, “I don’t need it to appear like I simply wish to name anyone out. I’m nonetheless on the airport, and I’ve cried my eyes out this morning. I’m speculated to be on set this morning. I’ve actors on set, I’ve booked eating places and all the pieces, however I’m nonetheless right here.”

She disclosed that she had invested between N15m and N20m within the challenge on the time of the incident, stressing that the delay put your entire manufacturing in jeopardy.

“I’ve spent over N15m to N20m, and I’m nonetheless in Ekiti,” Ogunmola added.

Recounting her expertise, the actress stated she arrived on the airport on Wednesday however was knowledgeable that the flight had been delayed earlier than it was ultimately cancelled.

She acknowledged, “Once I received to the airport, they stated one thing occurred and the plane was delayed. After ready, they later instructed us the flight had been cancelled. I requested what the plan was as a result of I wanted to get to Lagos, they usually stated there was nothing they may do.”

She defined that after failing to safe an alternate flight, together with from Akure Airport, she paid for resort lodging to make sure she might board the 8:00 am flight the following morning.

“I awakened round 5:00am and received to the airport by 6:30am. They instructed us the flight was not for 8:00am however 9:30am. Later, it was moved to 12:00 midday, and now they are saying it will likely be by 5:30 pm,” she stated.

Ogunmola accused the airline of failing to speak the adjustments to passengers: “There was no message, no dialog; nothing was stated to us. That is painful since you might have simply despatched a message.”

In a shaky voice, the actress stated she felt stranded and compelled to make various street journey preparations to Lagos with a view to resume work.

“I’m actually caught in a state the place I don’t know anyone. My crew, manufacturing staff and everybody are ready as a result of that is our first day on set,” she lamented.

Describing the incident as an assault on her livelihood, Ogunmola vowed to take the matter up with the airline.

“It’s not solely my time they’re toying with; they’re additionally toying with my technique of livelihood. I’m going to take this up truthfully,” she threatened.

When contacted, the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed the event however dismissed the actress’ declare of not receiving any rationalization from the airline.

Uloka defined that the problem occurred because of an unscheduled service ordered by the airline’s staff of engineers.

The airline publicist stated, “The plane that was anticipated to choose up the Ekiti–Lagos passengers needed to bear an unscheduled service, and since passengers’ security is our first precedence always, we needed to oblige the engineers. It isn’t true that nobody spoke together with her; our station supervisor went to her and spoke together with her concerning the growth.

“This isn’t our making. Security ought to be the very first thing to contemplate for everybody always. This isn’t a automobile that may be managed every time the necessity arises; whether or not scheduled or not, we should test the plane first. The plane should be licensed airworthy earlier than any flight.”

Whereas regretting the event, he added, “It isn’t in our curiosity as an airline to delay or cancel flights. At any time when this occurs, we’re dropping cash. What we do is a service to humanity, a transparent service to our Nigerian individuals, and we gained’t wish to delay or worsen your anger at any time.”