Influencers’ escapades on a plane | A party that does not pass

Several airlines are refusing to bring back the revelers of the Sunwing charter flight to the country, as a federal government investigation is underway into the events. Some experts are also wondering how the crew allowed the situation to degenerate.

Passengers vaping next to people dancing without masks. Others who drink from the neck of a large bottle of vodka. These images of debauchery made the rounds of social networks shortly after the media coverage of the case.

the party of concern took place on a charter flight to Cancun on December 30. Dozens of travelers – many presented as influencers or reality TV participants – have ignored health measures and safety rules.

« Ça a valu la peine », a écrit mercredi matin sur Twitter James William Awad, l’organisateur du voyage en question. Il a depuis effacé le gazouillis, indiquant qu’un communiqué serait diffusé jeudi.

« Je prends cette histoire très au sérieux. Un simple party dans un avion a créé toute cette commotion », a-t-il écrit dans une autre publication retirée ensuite.

L’organisateur a ensuite incité les voyageurs à acheter leur billet d’avion pour rentrer par la frontière terrestre. « Comme ça personne ne sera checké au retour et on évite tous les journalistes à l’aéroport », selon une publication diffusée sur les réseaux sociaux.

Isabelle Labrecque, pilote d’avion et participante à l’émission de téléréalité L’île de l’amour, était à bord de l’avion en direction du Mexique. Dans une vidéo publiée sur Instagram, elle assure être restée calmement sur son siège lors du vol et s’est dissociée des actes posés dans l’avion. « Je dormais. […] Not everyone took part in this. We could not expect the flight to degenerate like that, ”she justified.

Karl Sabourin, candidate for Double occupancy – South Africa, appears on the many festive videos relayed on social networks.

Trudeau rebels

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau reacted to travelers’ escapades on Wednesday.

“It is unacceptable that people are putting at risk not just other passengers, not just workers from other airlines, but their fellow citizens,” he said. Plus when people are making sacrifices. People cut back on their contacts over the holiday season, didn’t see loved ones. The vast majority of people in this country know that it takes sacrifices to protect one another. ”

“It’s demoralizing, and I can tell you that Transport Canada and the Government of Canada take it very seriously. We will do follow-ups. “

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has asked Transport Canada to investigate reports of “unacceptable” behavior on a recent flight.

“The health and safety of flight attendants and passengers during a flight is a top priority. We are aware of unacceptable behavior and instances of mask non-compliance and other aviation safety requirements that occurred during a Sunwing charter flight between Montreal and Cancún on December 30, 2021 ”, can we read in a joint statement by Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos and Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino published Tuesday evening by Transport Canada.

Persona non grata in Canada?

The refusal of three airlines to repatriate them will give travelers a hard time.

“With the information we currently have relating to the events of the Sunwing flight, and to the extent that we can identify the passengers who are part of the affected group, Air Canada is denying boarding in order to ensure safety. other passengers and our crew, ”confirm the company’s media relations.

The company followed suit with Air Transat, which made a similar announcement earlier today.

“We are aware of the situation surrounding disruptive passengers who have traveled to Cancun who are now attempting to return home on our wings. We confirm that they will be denied boarding under our legal and regulatory obligations to ensure the safety of our passengers and crew members, which is our top priority, ”Air Transat communicated via Twitter.

Sunwing will also not allow the group to board the ship to return to Montreal.

According to our information, passengers are not subject to a travel ban. The initiative lies with the airlines, not the government.

Transport Canada has launched an investigation. Violators will be fined up to $ 5,000 per violation.

Liability of Sunwing

Chartering a plane makes people feel like they are on a private jet that they own. Aviation safety measures must be respected, regardless of the context of the flight, recalls the director of the Aeronautics and Civil Aviation Observatory, Mehran Ebrahimi. “To go beyond these rules, you really have to say to yourself: I am privileged. ”

How could the crew let the situation escalate? asks the expert.

Seeing a passenger talking into the flight attendant intercom knocked him off his chair. “I don’t understand how the crew lost control like that. I wonder why the pilot did not intervene by addressing everyone to bring people to order, ”he said, recalling that the investigation would perhaps shed light on these elements. .

“They put their own security at risk. Turbulence exists, whether it is a charter flight or a commercial flight. “

Press failed to reach Sunwing on Wednesday.