Stranded passengers of North American Airline protest

Accra, Aug. 14, GNA -- Several stranded passengers of North American Airlines, who were due to travel to Baltimore on Sunday night have besieged the offices of the Company to register their protest. Speaking to journalists at the offices of the airline at Dzorwulu in Accra on Monday, the passengers alleged that they were stranded after the flight left them at 1100 hours on Sunday and the airline failed to provide accommodation for them.

The passengers said they were asked to report at 0800 hours to go through departure formalities but on their arrival at the check-in desk they found to their dismay that formalities had been closed. Mr Alex Acheampong, a pharmacist from Kumasi, said his wife and daughter, namely Rosie and Justine, arrived at the airport at 0930 hours only to be told that the check-in centre had closed.

He said he was informed that officials of the Airline began checking in at 0530 hours and closed at 0830 hours.

Mr Acheampong said when he and his family proceeded to the office of the Airline on Monday morning, officials asked them to pay 375 dollars extra if they wanted to leave on Tuesday to New York instead of Baltimore.

He said the flight had been overbooked adding that they expected to be picked at Banjul and Nigeria.

Mr Acheampong said they were not ready to pay any amount to the Airline and called on the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to intervene in the matter.

Another passenger, who pleaded anonymity, asked the Airline to refund their money to them.

Mr Mark Ofori Amanfo, Finance Manger, American Airline, Ghana Office, however, rejected the allegations saying the passengers reported late for departure formalities.

Mr Amanfo said the Airline gave passengers between 0530 hors and 0800 hours to check in and this was extended to 0930 hours. "It was only one professor, who reported at 0914 hours. As a short-term measure we have asked them to leave their phone numbers so that we could arrange for them the next available flight which would depart on Tuesday night.=94

He said the Airline had not asked them to pay 375 dollars for reservation but the Airline's policy was that when a passenger delays, he or she must take care of himself or herself. If, however, the delay was on the part of the Airline then they are obliged to cater for them. "We are ready to refund monies to persons, who purchased their tickets in Accra but those who bought theirs outside would have to seek refund in USA."

Mr Amanfo denied that the aircraft was overbooked saying that the Airline had 260 seats and records available at the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority indicated that the airline carried 149 persons from Accra and was expected to pick 46 others in Banjul.