Ethiopian Airlines Accused of Blocking Disabled Kenyan Man from US-Bound Flight
A disabled Kenyan man has accused Ethiopian Airlines of refusing to let him board a flight on Tuesday, allegedly for being in a wheelchair.
In a series of tweets, Harun M. Hassan says he was traveling to the United States from Nairobi when Ethiopian staff denied him to board.
Hassan, an author and crusader of rights for disabled persons, said he was stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after the incident.
“They left me alone and stranded with no options,” he wrote.
“My first time with @flyethiopian and my first to be discriminated by an airline on the basis of my disability,” he said in another tweet.
He shared a photo of a female staff at the check-in counter who declined to listen to his explanation about his ticket.
"Today was denied to travel 2 USA by @flyethiopian bcoz of my wheelchair. The lady in yellow was rude & insensitive. She said no provision for assistance."
Responding to his tweet, the giant airline asked Hassan to share his travel details for investigations.
"Dear Harun
Sorry for what happened to you. Please DM your travel detail for further investigation of the case," Ethiopian said.
Hassan says Ethiopian later apologized and offered to have him fly Business Class, but on condition that he deletes his tweets.
"@flyethiopian contacted me 4 apologies & offered opportunity of flying a Business Class. However, they requested a pull-down of my Twitter& FB posts."
"I declined. I rather fly Economy with respect than a knee jerk inspired ‘comfort'. I'm flying 2day a different airline," he tweeted on Wednesday.
Comments (13)
This is the killer Airline that killed over 300 people in the jungles of Ethiopia.
good for you sir, nobody should take away your dignity just on the basis of your disability. this is pathetic, KENYANS, take note. I have never flown Ethiopian, NEVER will. I know it's cheap, however still no.
"flyethiopian contacted me 4 apologies & offered opportunity of flying a Business Class. However, they requested a pull-down of my Twitter& FB posts."
They use this tactic a lot.
I have never been enthusiastic about Ethiopian airlines.
It's a nightmare to travel with Ethiopian Airlines.From language barrier to killer planes to rude staff=equals NEVER AGAIN.Tried it once.Keep off,if you can.Cheap can be very expensive.
It's a nightmare to travel with Ethiopian Airlines.From language barrier to killer planes to rude staff=equals NEVER AGAIN.Tried it once.Keep off,if you can.Cheap can be very expensive.
So sorry Hassan this happened to you...Me thinking it's Human rights abuse,the reason why they tell you to pull down your tweets.
Sue then sir! It’s indeed a form of discrimination.
I would never fly Ethiopian even if it is cheap. I stick with European carriers esp KLM.
So sorry for such treatment. I will never travel on Ethiopian Airline`for treating this poor man in such a manner.
The headline made me think of that Kenyan dude in Salem Mass.
Many airlines kill Et air is not an isolated case accdnts happen we simple minded Knys from tribalism to self hate why not support that which is our help em grow sure mistakes repeated are unforgivable,Arabian flight crews are also rude yet u still dish out money n fly em
I flew Ethiopian Airlines once and i said never again. Thy discriminate against other africans. Thy serve their Ethiopian people first. If u ask for something thy airhostess r so rude. Thy think thy r better than the rest of us. Thy r just waitresses in the sky. Shame.
Am sorry brother so them that's discrimination period