Blessing Ocheido, a Twitter user, has narrated how Qatar airways, an international airline company, refused to allow her on board their aircraft because of her wheelchair.
Ocheido, whose mobility is enhanced by a wheelchair, stated that Qatar Airways neither allowed her on board nor refunded the N659,856 paid for the flight.
She stated that the airline had accused her of not indicating her status despite failing to ask for such information.
“I am about to have a serious problem with a major airline. @qatarairways took my money but refused to let me board their aircraft. They said I didn’t indicate I use a wheelchair. Meanwhile, nothing on the website prompted or asked me if I used one when I booked the ticket,” she wrote on Friday.
I am about to have a serious problem with a major airline..@qatarairways took my money but refused to let me board their aircraft. They said I didn’t indicate I use a wheelchair. Meanwhile, nothing on the website prompted or asked me if I used one when I booked the ticket. pic.twitter.com/ZsqqC2vFuH— Blessing Mary Ocheido (@blessingocheido) October 28, 2022
Ocheido said she had always indicated that she uses a wheelchair when asked.
“I have flown countless times and I have only indicated I use a wheelchair when prompted to. I have never been told it’s mandatory, and this is the first time I have been turned away for such,” she said.
“My mother suggested I fly without the chair and she would have it ‘cargoed’ to me on another airline.
She narrated that the airline insisted on not boarding her without her chair and also refused to fulfill the promise of refunding her ticket fee.
“Qatar Airways crew refused that they will also NOT board me without the chair. They promised to refund me in full (I have the evidence). It’s well over the 28 days they asked me to wait and I have received no refund,” she said.
“This has caused me major humiliation, distress and pain. I need my money. In fact, my husband heard one of their staff say in derision that how much did I even pay for the ticket? Yet, they don’t want to refund it. Qatar Airways, refund my N659,858 paid to your GTB account.”
FIJ sent an email to Qatar Airways for comments, but they were yet to respond at press time.
In Nigeria, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and imposes sanctions, including fines and prison sentences, on those who contravene it.
Also, Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides generally for the dignity of human beings, and this provision covers persons with disabilities.
