If you want to fly in these Corona times, you have to observe a number of rules. Wearing a mask is mandatory. Depending on the country of entry, corona tests, proof of vaccination or recovery or even quarantine are mandatory. Anyone who disregards these rules can be ejected from the plane or even face penalties.
This is exactly what a group of Canadian influencers and reality TV stars are now facing. On December 30, they took a chartered plane from Montreal, Canada, to Cancún, Mexico. There was a boisterous celebration on board the Sunwing machine - and thus violated Corona requirements. Several Canadian media outlets, including the CBC broadcaster and the Toronto Star newspaper, reported
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In videos that are shared on social networks have spread, passengers can be seen crowded together and without masks partying, dancing and jumping in the aisle of the plane, drinking alcohol, smoking e-cigarettes and even crowd surfing. The videos of the boozy plane party caused outrage in Canada. Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke out.
The Canadian government announced on Tuesday that it had launched an investigation into the events. "Transport Canada has been in contact with the airline regarding this flight. Should the Department determine that Transport Canada's regulations and requirements have not been met, passengers may be subject to fines of up to $5,000 per offense."
The party tourists could also face trouble on the return journey. "False disclosure to a Canadian government official upon entry into Canada is a serious offense and may result in penalties and/or criminal charges. If a traveler is found guilty on summary conviction, fines of up to $750,000 may apply, six months in prison or both. If a traveler endangers the lives of others and causes harm, they face up to three years in prison and/or fines of up to $1 million."
Premier Trudeau said of the pictures of the party on the plane: "I'm extremely frustrated...it's a slap in the face to see people endanger themselves and their fellow citizens and airline employees through utter irresponsibility," he said. Follow Me
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According to information from CBC, the aircraft was operated by 111 Private Club, a Chartered to Promoter who organized the six day all inclusive event in Cancún. In an advertisement for the event, the organizer claimed that the plane would have a DJ.
James William Awad, operator of the company, tweeted on Tuesday that the group "respected all of Sunwing's instructions" and that the alcohol on board was sold to them. At the same time he called the event a "success".
He later posted another tweet in which his words sounded very different. He takes the matter "very seriously," Awad said. "A simple party on an airplane got all this buzz," he wrote, noting that he "would take a moment" to think it all over.
Airline Sunwing notified Transport Canada after conducting its own investigation, saying "the behavior of a group of passengers was unruly and violated several [regulations]," CBC quoted as saying. Because the tour group did not accept all the conditions for the return flight, the airline canceled the return flight.
Other airlines don't want to take party-crazy people home either. Air Transat said some of the passengers were attempting to return to Canada on their flights. "We confirm that you will be denied boarding," it said.
Canada's largest airline, Air Canada, also said it would refuse boarding to passengers it could identify as part of the group "to ensure the safety of other passengers and their crew."Passengers defend themselves against allegations
According to a report by the "Toronto Star", several of the tour group have now tested positive for the corona virus. A 19-year-old student said she was in quarantine in Tulum, south of Cancún. She is one of an estimated 30 travelers who would have been infected.
The 19-year-old feels left alone. "The organizer just left everyone. I don't know who is still here. All flights have been cancelled," she told The Canadian Press news agency. The student won the trip in a competition on Instagram. "I was expecting a relaxed week where I would be careful," she said. "But that turns out to be an expensive trip for something that should be free." She confirmed that the videos from the plane were real. "Nobody kept their distance ... I think people were doing drugs."
However, not everyone agrees. Isabelle Labrecque, a Quebec reality TV star, along with two other television personalities, said in a live Instagram video that they were "asleep." They "didn't want to be judged for things they didn't do," CTV quoted as saying. Labrecque takes part in a dating show on television. "I didn't know anyone on that flight except these two," she said, referring to her two colleagues. Most behaved on the flight, she added.
She doesn't want to downplay the events on the flight. At the same time, she accused the media of "scandalizing" the incident.
Aviation expert reacts angrily
But breaking corona rules is not the only reason for discussions. Aviation expert Mehran Ebrahimi, for example, said that partying on the plane also poses dangers to flight safety. He gave the example of smoking e-cigarettes on board. "That could set off the fire alarm, which can be very dangerous. It would signal a fire on board and the captain wouldn't know where it came from." He added, "These people think because they've paid, because they're pseudo-influencers, they can do whatever they want," Ebrahimi said. "Suppose people would play with the door for fun? An airplane isn't a house you rent where you can do whatever you want."
