An American passenger, Nicholas Owoyemi, decided to file a complaint against Air France after a trip punctuated by delayed connections at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, turning his journey into a physically, emotionally and financially demanding experience.
Costly delays for Air France
On September 20, Nicholas Owoyemi, aged 66, boarded an Air France flight from New York-JFK to Paris-CDG, with a connection planned for Lagos, Nigeria. However, the trip quickly turns into a nightmare: the flight to Lagos, initially scheduled to arrive at 9:40 p.m., is delayed and does not finally land until 1 a.m. Forced to spend the night at a hotel with his companion, the passenger finds himself faced with unexpected costs.
The return to New York proved just as problematic. A delayed connection in Paris results in a wait of more than five hours at CDG airport. Finally, Air France re-registers the passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight, its partner, in order to ensure his return to the United States.
According to court documents filed, these mishaps had a considerable impact on the already fragile health of Nicholas Owoyemi. “Due to his poor health and heart condition, Nicolas Owoyemi suffered grief and discomfort and fell ill throughout his stay at the Paris airport,” the complaint states.
The passenger also claims to have walked long distances on several occasions between the Air France and Delta Air Lines terminals, which would have worsened his condition.
In Staten Island Supreme Court, Nicholas Owoyemi is seeking $600,000 in damages from Air France. He accuses the company of negligence, saying delays and mismanagement of his trip led to emotional and financial pressure which he considers unacceptable.
