Johannesburg | Saturday
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS said on Saturday that it was investigating an incident in which two muslim passengers were removed from a flight to London because a first class passenger alleged they were ”suspicious”.
The incident occurred at Johannesburg International Airport on Thursday when the captain of flight SA260 removed the men from the plane at the insistence of a passenger, causing a few hours delay.
The two passengers have threatened to sue the airline.
SAA representative Rich Mkhondo said statements were being taken from all parties.
”The safety of passengers is of paramount importance and we will have to see if all correct procedures were followed by the crew. Any decisions to remove passengers is made by the captain after careful consideration. We are alarmed if there is a perception that a person or group feels unfairly treated,” he said.
One of the men, Zeyn Jadwat, told a Saturday newspaper that it was a total human rights violation.
”If I walked on an airline tomorrow and claimed that ten of the passengers looked suspicious, would they also be pulled off?” he asked.
Mkhondo could not confirm on Saturday whether the two men had indeed initiated legal proceedings against the airline.
Egoli actor David Vlok and Comrades runner Bruce Fordyce were among the passengers who were inconvenienced by the delay.
Vlok became involved in an argument with the first class passenger and apparently caused the men to be removed.
The man threatened Vlok, saying he would have the actor arrested in London and charged with assault.
Vlok and Fordyce were both on their way to take part in the London Marathon on Sunday.
According to Vlok the whole plane was full of seething angry passengers who were annoyed at the unnecessary delay.
Ironically the debacle coincided with the six month anniversary of the September 11th attacks in New York.
The Airports Company of South Africa ACSA immediately stepped up airport security after terrorist attacks in New York last year. All passengers and their baggage are scrutinised before being allowed on board an aircraft. – Sapa