Sunwing party flight showcases need for stronger rules: Flight attendants
BNN Bloomberg
In the wake of a party on a Sunwing Airlines flight from Montreal to Cancun, Mexico, flight attendants are demanding stronger action from government and carriers to ensure health and safety on board amid the Omicron surge.
MONTREAL -- In the wake of a party on a Sunwing Airlines flight from Montreal to Cancun, Mexico, flight attendants are demanding stronger action from government and carriers to ensure health and safety on board amid the Omicron surge.
Videos of the Dec. 30 flight shared on social media show unmasked passengers in close proximity, singing and dancing in the aisle and on seats. Some clutched bottles of vodka and rum while others appeared to smoke e-cigarettes and take selfies.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weighed in Wednesday, saying he's "extremely frustrated" with the actions of the young travellers, some of whom appear to be Quebec social media influencers.
"It's a slap in the face to see people putting themselves, putting their fellow citizens, putting airline workers at risk by being completely irresponsible," he said at a news conference in Ottawa.
"I can assure you that this is a situation that Transport Canada takes extremely seriously and we are definitely following up on that."
Wesley Lesosky, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees airline division, which represents some 15,000 employees at 10 carriers, says the incident underscores the need for greater protections for flight attendants.
