Melbourne families claim racism behind ejection from Jetstar flight
A group of Melbourne families claim racism was the reason they were booted off a flight from Bali. But Jetstar and fellow passengers tell a different story, with one passenger labelling the group “inconsiderate pr..ks”.
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A group of Melbourne families has been booted off a flight from Bali minutes before takeoff, sparking claims of racism and bad behaviour.
More than 20 members of group were marched off JQ36 at Denpasar Airport on Monday night, following a row over in-flight entertainment.
In a series of online posts, members of the family have claimed that they were racially discriminated against and unfairly turfed from the plane.
But Jetstar has refuted the accusations, saying the airline will not tolerate “disruptive or abuse behaviour”.
The Herald Sun understands that the dramas started when a passenger accused members of the group of cutting in at an airport security check.
Later, as the plane was taxiing on the runway, a second dispute flared over a broken in-flight entertainment display.
Sehernaz Aslan, who was among the travelling group, said a friend questioned whether the “circuit breaker failure” affecting the screens would impact the plane’s safety.
She said that one of the cabin crew responded by charging towards her friend, before the pilot announced that they would be removed from the flight over “physical and verbal abuse.”
“To which the flight attendants … singled out our rows and said we all make her feel unsafe and have to leave,” she posted on Facebook.
Selim Tutuncu said on Facebook that the family was “forcefully escorted by roughly 15 security guards”.
“We were racially, verbally and physically assaulted by both jet star crew members and bali airport officials,” he posted.
Mr Tutuncu said the group, in Bali for a wedding, was left stranded.
“I am here in bali stuck at the airport with no accomodation (sic) with all my luggage and sleeping children to comfort while being told to get out,” he said.
The group was flown back to Melbourne on a Jetstar flight last night.
In a statement, Jetstar confirmed that it was investigating the incident.
“The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority and we do not tolerate any kind of disruptive or abusive behaviour,” the airline’s spokesman said.
“We take these allegations extremely seriously and are investigating the matter, however our crew dispute the claims made by these passengers.”
The incident has sparked intense online debate with another passengers on the flight labelling members of the family “inconsiderate pr***s”.
Another passenger also responded to the family’s online complaint to slam their behaviour as “disgusting”.
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The woman claimed that members of the family were swearing, “carrying on” and issuing “threats of bashing”, and that “it was a blessing” that they were kicked off the flight.
“The jet star (sic) staff were great, calm and did the best they could in a difficult situation,” she said.
“I do feel for the kids being with them but It was a blessing for the entire plane, even if it delayed our flight more.
“I’m glad I didn’t have to listen to them, their distasteful language, rants, calling “racist” the entire way home when it’s got nothing to do with race, it’s the behaviour.”