An incident on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET308 from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on July 19th has generated significant public attention and controversy. A video shared by CNN’s Larry Madowo on X shows a female passenger being removed from her seat, allegedly to make space for a minister. The video, which has gathered up to 7.8 million views, shows the distressed passenger arguing with flight attendants and questioning why a minister should be given priority.
Passenger’s Frustration
In the video, the passenger’s frustration is clear as she protests her removal from the plane. She repeatedly tells the flight attendants that everyone on the flight is a taxpayer, insisting that all passengers should be treated equally. Her vocal protest has sparked public outrage and led some viewers to call for a boycott of the airline.
Ethiopian Airlines’ Response
Ethiopian Airlines addressed the situation by clarifying that the incident was due to an overbooking issue, not special treatment for a VIP passenger. The airline’s statement explained that on July 19, three passengers with standby economy class boarding passes arrived at the gate just minutes before departure. Despite being advised to wait for the next flight, these passengers attempted to board the plane, bypassing security. Consequently, staff had to ask them to leave the plane. The airline emphasized that the seats of these passengers were not influenced by the presence of a VIP in business class.
“A misapprehension arose among the standby passengers, leading to the distorted belief that their seats had been allocated to a VIP. This is not the case, and the circulating video does not reflect the true sequence of events.”
Public Reaction and Further Clarifications
Despite the airline’s efforts to clarify, public reaction remains mixed. According to the Free Press Journal, many viewers continue to express anger, with some advocating for a boycott of Ethiopian Airlines.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about passenger rights and how airlines handle overbooking situations.
Ethiopian Airlines wrapped up their statement by emphasizing their dedication to keeping passengers safe and following their established procedures. They expressed a strong commitment to treating all passengers fairly and ensuring high standards of service. The affected passengers were rebooked on the next available flight, and the airline thanked its customers for their patience and understanding. As noted by Citizen Digital, the airline’s prompt response aimed to maintain trust and transparency with their customers.
Ethiopian Airlines continued to uphold its operational standards and assured all passengers of their dedication to safety and fairness.
Watch the video here:
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