WestJet CEO’s apology rings hollow for B.C. Paralympian after ‘humiliating’ boarding
Global News
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech apologized on Parliament Hill Thursday for a string of recent incidents in which the airline let passengers with disabilities down.
A former B.C. Paralympian who had to drag herself up an aircraft’s stairs says she’s not satisfied with apologies from WestJet’s top executive on Parliament Hill on Thursday.
Speaking to a House of Commons transport committee, CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech apologized for a string of recent incidents in which the airline let passengers with disabilities down.
“We are sincerely sorry and we are committed in doing better,” he said, adding that the airline has begun taking steps to improve accessibility.
That apology rang hollow to Sarah Morris-Probert, one of the airline’s most high-profile recent failures.
“I haven’t had a public apology from WestJet after this event,” she told Global News.
Morris-Probert, the president of BC Adaptive Snow Sports, was flying home to Kelowna from Cabo San Lucas in November when she was told there was no air bridge to allow her to board the flight in her wheelchair.
Staff suggested carrying her up the stairs, which she said was dangerous. Instead, she was forced to lift herself up the stairs one at a time, while being watched by other passengers.
“It’s humiliating and it’s dirty,” she said.
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