A 64-year-old Nigerian woman, Mrs Uzoma Chinyere Ndubuisi, has reportedly been stranded in Egypt after EgyptAir allegedly confiscated her passport upon arrival at Cairo International Airport.
Ndubuisi was travelling to the United Kingdom but became stuck when her passport was reportedly taken for immigration clearance and not returned for over three hours.
Speaking to reporters, Ndubuisi recounted her ordeal, stating that she was left waiting at the airport without assistance or support.
She claimed that despite the airline’s awareness of her situation, EgyptAir failed to fulfil its promise of accommodation, leaving her and other passengers in distress with limited access to food, water, or rest.
Her connecting flight to Manchester, scheduled for 8:55am was missed when the transportation to the airport arrived late. By the time she reached the terminal, the plane had already departed.
Obinna Okali, Mrs Ndubuisi’s son, has issued a formal petition to EgyptAir, expressing outrage over the treatment of his mother, and accusing the airline of negligence and a lack of compassion, citing staff’s unhelpful and unfriendly behaviour.
In his petition, Okali stated, “The actions of EgyptAir staff directly contributed to my mother missing her flight. Yet, they have shown no consideration for her welfare or empathy for her situation.”
He further pointed out the emotional and physical toll on his mother, who had been left stranded in Terminal 3 of Cairo International Airport without adequate food or water and under severe mental distress.
Okali has demanded an immediate resolution from EgyptAir, including rebooking his mother on the next available flight to Manchester and compensation for the trauma she has endured.
“I kindly request you to provide an immediate resolution to this matter, which includes rebooking my mother on the next available flight to Manchester and offering compensation for the physical and emotional trauma she has endured.
“We expect a prompt response from you regarding this urgent matter,” Okali added.
He warned the airline of potential consequences, stating, “Should anything untoward happen to our mother during this ordeal, we will hold EgyptAir entirely responsible.”
EgyptAir has yet to respond publicly to the allegations or address the concerns raised by Ndubuisi’s family.
Elderly Nigerian woman stranded in Egypt after alleged passport confiscation by EgyptAir