Video of Quebec influencers’ maskless party onboard flight goes viral, irks Canadian PM
The video clip was captured when the passengers were heading to Mexico from Montreal for a New Year’s Eve holiday.
File image of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. AP
Amid the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases across the world, a video of maskless Quebec influencers partying inside the Canadian airline has gone viral, inviting sharp criticisms.
In the clip, the influencers can be seen smoking, drinking and dancing in the aisle. The video clip was captured when the passengers were heading to Mexico from Montreal for a New Year’s Eve holiday. The controversial chartered party flight was organised by James William Awad.
Watch the video here
En rappel, cette vidéo durant le party où on la voir fumer en plein vol : pic.twitter.com/tuX8NnKUdA
— Francis Pilon (@FrancisPilon_) January 6, 2022
As the maskless party went viral, Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra along with public safety ministers ordered a thorough probe into the incident.
Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau also reacted to the video clip claiming its a slap in the face of Canadian citizens who have religiously followed the COVID guidelines since the start of the pandemic. Trudeau added that he was ‘extremely frustrated’ watching the video.
“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,” Trudeau said while addressing reporters.
As per Global News, Sunwing Airlines canceled the return tickets of the influencers scheduled for 5 January after they refused to accept the terms and conditions of the airline. Following this, other airlines also denied them a flight home.
Air Transat refused to bring the influencers back to Canada, saying that they were making the decision to ensure the safety of both their passengers and crew.
2/2 We confirm that they will be denied boarding based on our legal and regulatory obligations to ensure the safety of both our passengers and crew, which is our top priority.
— Air Transat (@airtransat) January 5, 2022
The social media users supported the move by the airlines and slammed the influencers for their carelessness.
‘Make them walk back’, commented a Twitter user
Make them walk back
— Stuntman Stu (@StuntmanStu) January 5, 2022
“Its not their private jet”, wrote another.
Surprisingly, the mask-less part isn’t even my biggest concern. COVID or not, I would not want a bunch of people standing and partying on my flight. It’s not a private jet for goodness sake..
— Abby A (@aaTOepi) January 5, 2022
A user demanded to put the passengers on a no-fly list.
Good. They should all be put on a no fly list for a couple of years minimum
— Shelley (@Shelleydr) January 5, 2022
A Twitter user expressed his concern over the safety of the crew.
Just because you charter a private plane does not mean you can do anything while the plane is in the air. the airspace and safety of everyone on board is priority. These influencers thought money would allow them do anything.. Even worse they recorded it and made it public.. ♂️
— Frank Dukes (@thechoozen_1) January 5, 2022
Another user said that he will only travel by Air Transat, Sunwing and Air Canada.
Well, they’ve influenced me. I’ve added Air Transat, Sunwing and Air Canada to my preferred list of airlines.
— Brian Greer (@BGreerCanada) January 5, 2022
What do you think about the video?
