The holiday is over and a majority of people are back to base and others back to work. The years' hustle has officially begun.
I remember writing in my blog on baby’s first flight about not being sure if I would travel by air or land but after much consideration, I finally decided to travel back by Air. So I made bookings on the 26th of December to travel today 4th January 2022.
I was already parked up, said my goodbyes and I was ready to leave by morning when at 8.00 pm last night I got an email and a text saying my flight has been canceled due to operational reasons and they are sorry for any Inconveniences. I just finished zipping up my bag after adding the final things I needed when the message came in.
text message I received
My first reaction was to smile because I wanted to believe there must be a follow-up message regarding what to do next maybe rescheduling or a refund.
One hour passed and no email yet, so I decided to contact their customer service even if it was late into the evening besides if they could send a message at that time, they should be available to respond to their customers but unfortunately lines were not reachable so I decided to wait till morning.
By morning I announced to my family about the flight cancellation but assured them it would be sorted out when in fact I had no idea what to do next but I knew something had to be done somehow.
I decided to call again and all the numbers are still not reachable then I sent a mail which till now hasn't gotten any reply till my husband suggested I go to the airport and make an inquiry in person maybe then they would respond.
Immediately I booked my Uber and went straight for the airport, arriving at the airport I could see a lot of people gathered at the airline's booth complaining and making a scene already because they have been canceling flights for days now without prior notice.
I believe that there is a reason for everything, better late than sorry. So instead of joining the scene to complain, all I needed was a solution if possible a refund and I got it.
I found a lady, seems she was security personnel approached her politely and explained my plight and she suggested I take a refund and book another airline rather than rescheduling, I had my baby with me and she was kind enough to help me through the process and proceeded to help me book an even cheaper flight for another day.
While others were wailing and complaining I found my solution and I was pleased with it, hopefully, this flight doesn't get canceled like the other.
In Nigeria, flights are easily canceled mostly because of the weather especially how unstable it can be, other factors could be mechanical and operational but it is very common although this is my first time experiencing it.
So if you have your flight canceled do not panic, rather do these things
Check out for your options: every airline and its policy .some would allow a refund but could take weeks before the money arrives others immediately, would rather auto reschedule the flight or give you an open ticket for a later date.
Send a mail, call their customer service, or visit their office as I did for the swift response.
Use your charm: it can be frustrating getting your flight canceled but it is not the fault of the workers, we have to understand that they are having a hectic day like we are too so the least we can do is be polite and ask how they can help. they would be inclined to help if they are approached properly.
Rebook the flight- finally, there is nothing anyone can do at that point to have the flight back in the air for that same day, I am sure they must have viewed all possibilities and realized it was safer to cancel than risk hundreds of lives. So just book other flights soon as you can and save yourself the mental stress of being angry.
Safe travels to everyone returning home from the holidays and good luck with everything and once again
HAPPY NEW YEAR