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29 March 2024

Airline staff accused of 'misbehaviour'

Published
By Staff

Four Emirati lady passengers have accused Flydubai crew of harrassing them at Doha airport while they were checking-in to return to UAE.

They claimed staff confiscated their tickets and prevented them from boarding the aircraft on March 3, reported 'Emarat Al Youm'.

They later took a Qatar Airways flight back home. Their troubles allegedly began at Doha airport, when a clerk "abused them and delayed the issuance of tickets", they said. Meanwhile, officials of Flydubai, said the staff dealt with the four girls professionally and in accordance with official standards.

Laila S, one of the complainants, said: "The problem started when I asked the employee at the counter to allocate a seat next to my friends. 

The staff agreed and continued to weigh my luggage, when another staff member came over and shouted at me asking me to take the luggage as they were no seats. I asked him to talk decently."

Later while they were proceeding to board the flight, the same employee prevented them from entering the flight, said Aicha A. "He did not give us any justification as to why we should not get on the plane. We pleaded saying our children were waiting for us."

"We were treated as if we were terrorists", she added.

Rana M said they noticed their bags were not checked in and was lying outside and so it was clear the staff did not want them to take the flight.

Basma said they literally had to plead with the staff to let them handover their tickets.

Meanwhile, a GCC national intervened and retrieved their tickets and helped the ladies book tickets and fly on Qatar Airways.

A Muhairi, a relative of one of the passengers, demanded an explaination from the airline. He said the staff have no right to prevent someone from boarding flights.

A Flydubai official said: "The staff ensures there is no delay in flights and no inconvenience to passengers."

He explained that the employee has the right to refuse to carry passengers or their luggage on any trip (even if they have confirmed bookings and boarding passes); in the case of passengers using threatening, abusive, or inappropriate expressions; or if they do not comply with safety laws and instructions or prevent staff from performing their duties.

He added: "The four passengers insisted on sitting together on the plane, although they did not choose seats when they booked. They even used harsh and aggressive language and the airport security had to be called to intervene."

That is when he decided not to allow them to board the plane for the safety of our staff and passengers.