Quebec tour operator Sunwing opposes flight cancellation

The organizer of a Montreal-Cancun charter flight, whose passengers have been widely condemned for partying on the unmasked plane, and the airline that canceled the group’s return flight accuse each other of a disagreement on the conditions of the trip.

Organizer says airline canceled group’s return flight to Canada due to disagreement over onboard meals, while airline says flight was canceled because organizer refused to accept the conditions of the airline.

Videos from the December 30 flight shared on social media show passengers not wearing masks as they congregate nearby, singing and dancing in the aisle and on the seats. In one video, a large bottle of vodka appears to have passed among the passengers, and later a woman appears to be vaping.

James William Awad, who says he organized the chartered private flight through his company TripleOne, described on its website as a “decentralized company” that appears to be technology-driven, said he met with a Sunwing security representative before returning to Canada and discussed the conditions. for the return flight, including three in-flight guards, no standing in the aisles, no alcohol service and that masks must be worn at all times.

But he says negotiations failed because the airline refused to provide in-flight meals to passengers.

“I accepted all requests, including several in-flight guards, assured them that all measures would be followed, but we were unable to reach a deal as Sunwing refused to provide meals to the group for one. 5 hour flight, “Awad said in a statement. press release Thursday on Twitter.

In a statement sent to The Star on Wednesday, Sunwing Airlines said in order to ensure the safety of crew and passengers, they provided the terms and conditions to the leader of the tour group for the private charter to return to Montreal on January 5th.

“Unfortunately, the group did not agree to all of the terms. Following our ongoing investigation and the group’s refusal to accept all the conditions of carriage, we have made the decision to cancel the return flight, ”the statement read.

The airline called the behavior of passengers on the December 30 flight “unruly” and alleged it violated several Canadian aviation and public health regulations.

Following the cancellation of Sunwing’s flight, Air Transat and Air Canada both said they would refuse to bring passengers home.

In his statement, Awad said his group “is working tirelessly to get everyone home safely as quickly as possible.”

Awad organized the trip including a group of social media “influencers” and reality TV stars, such as Karl Sabourin of the popular Quebec show “Occupation Double”, and Sandrine Séguin and Anna-Maëlle Laprise, who are both appeared in the provincial version of “Island of Love.”

Among those looking for a way home is Rebecca St-Pierre, a 19-year-old student from Trois-Rivières, Que., Who said she felt abandoned, not knowing how she would pay for her room. hotel while his stay is prolonged. indefinitely. She said she tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and is now in isolation in Tulum, south of Cancun. She estimated that around 30 other people on the flight tested positive.

“The organizer has just left everyone. I don’t know who’s still there. All flights have been canceled, ”an emotional St-Pierre told The Canadian Press.

St-Pierre said she won the free trip in an Instagram contest and had never heard of Awad, the organizer. “I was expecting a relaxed week, where I was going to be careful,” she said. “But it turns out to be an expensive trip for something that was supposed to be free.”

Awad did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Videos of passengers partying as Omicron surges across the country outraged Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident a “slap in the face.” Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino released a joint statement Tuesday evening saying they had asked their departments to investigate.

The statement said passengers who violated Department of Transportation regulations could be fined up to $ 5,000 per violation.

More soon.

With files from The Canadian Press