Virgin ignored safety advice over Fiji hotel before alleged rape of 21-year-old flight attendant on New Year’s Day
The airline has come under fire for overlooking major warnings about it’s chosen accommodation in Fiji where a 21-year-old crew member was allegedly raped.
World
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Virgin Australia ignored safety concerns over the airline’s chosen accommodation in Fiji more than two-years before a 21-year-old crew member was allegedly raped on New Year’s Eve while attempting to return to her hotel.
An assessment given to Virgin in August 2022 identified a number of potential safety issues with the Tanoa International Hotel and instead recommended the Hilton Beach Resort on Denarau Island, which is more expensive.
Former employees said staff reported items being stolen from their balconies at the Tanoa and suspected someone had tampered with the locks on their hotel room windows.
Virgin Australia has rejected suggestions the airline turned a blind eye to safety risks despite multiple whistleblowers approaching this masthead with claims of unsafe working conditions at the airline.
The inspection of the Tanoa Hotel, conducted by a health and safety representative and endorsed by the Flight Attendant’s Association of Australia, found the Hilton’s location was “convenient and safe in comparison to the Tanoa Hotel”.
The report also identified potential safety issues at the Tanoa relating to emergency signage and said the Hilton had more security guards and hotel surveillance.
“After careful consideration and a full assessment of the properties, including its location, surroundings, safety, and the proximity of relevant infrastructure, it is with great pleasure that I support and endorse the Hilton Beach Resort,” said the assessment given to Virgin.
Virgin has a longstanding relationship with the Tanoa International Hotel, which AU$300 a night for a twin room while the Hilton charges about AU$491.
The airline’s culture has come under intense scrutiny after a crew member was allegedly raped by Fijian farmer Ilaisa Tanoa Degei.
Mr Degei fronted Lautoka High Court on Monday charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. It is alleged Mr Degei posed as a taxi driver and offered to give the 21-year-old a lift to the Tanoa International Hotel.
A former Virgin worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said crew would return from Fiji in tears because they felt the airline did not take their safety concerns seriously.
“I remember saying is Virgin just waiting for this [alleged rape] to happen?,” said the former employee, who wished to remain anonymous.
“It feels like, hand to god, I feel like what’s next? Do we have to wait for a girl to be attacked? But here we are, however many years later, it’s happened and now the public have seen it.”
A News Corp investigation has uncovered claims that Virgin ignored repeated warnings about potential workplace safety risks after the airline was bought by US investment firm Bain Capital in 2020.
The airline made 3000 experienced workers redundant and then haemorrhaged staff during a period of brutal cost cutting before hiring young and inexperienced workers.
“Qantas took all the great staff and now Virgin are left with 12-year-olds,” said one former worker.
“They [new recruits] come in with the biggest attitude because they’ve had Virgin stroke their ego saying ‘You are amazing, you are this’ but really it’s you are cheap and you’re on the new EBA now.”
This masthead is not suggesting crew are responsible for Virgin’s failings, only that they have poor working conditions.
Sources said members of the public had been harassing Virgin crew on social media while some commentary had upset some workers.
Virgin has been encouraging some crew, particularly influencers with followings, to push the airline on social media.
It is not known whether Virgin explained the risk of having a profile linked to the airline or that once an image has been posted, it can be reported by the media without the account owner’s consent.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the airline conducted comprehensive security and safety assessments when selecting staff accommodation.
“We categorically reject the unsubstantiated assertion that we have turned a blind eye to safety risks,” said a spokesperson.
“We conduct comprehensive security and safety assessments as part of the selection process for crew hotels.
“This includes inspections and assessments by a range of stakeholders including unions, and delegates from flight and cabin crew.”
Originally published as Virgin ignored safety advice over Fiji hotel before alleged rape of 21-year-old flight attendant on New Year’s Day