MONTREAL — The influencer who organized Sunwing’s controversial flight says he is considering legal action against the airline for “breach of contract.” He also attacked Air Canada and Air Transat, which also refused to bring back the people who participated in the event.
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The decision of the three carriers was “dangerous”, judge James William Awad, during a press conference on Thursday, where he interspersed his answers with promotional comments about his company.
“They abandoned 154 Canadian citizens, 154 Quebecers, in Mexico without knowing if they could afford another night in a hotel, without knowing if they could afford food the next day, without any option to return to Canada”, denounces the 28-year-old influencer.
He believes that the three air carriers put all the participants of the flight in the same basket. “Only because of what was shown in the media, they made a decision on all the people in the group. You should really be ashamed.”
Transat declined to comment on Mr. Awad’s statement. It was not possible to obtain a reaction from Air Canada and Sunwing.
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Remember that the three airlines had refused to board the people who participated in the party. Air Transat said on social media that it had made this decision to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Transport Canada regulations allow a carrier to refuse a “turbulent” passenger.
A party on a Sunwing flight from Montreal to Cancún, Mexico on December 30 made the rounds on social media. Footage and video show passengers not wearing masks as they congregate nearby, singing and dancing in the aisle and on the seats. Some are holding bottles of vodka and rum while others appear to be vaping and taking selfies.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had commented on the case, arguing that it was “extremely frustrating” to see the actions of the young travelers, whom he called “unintentional” and “Ostrogoths”.
Invited by a journalist to apologize, Mr. Awad apologized for “people who did not respect the health rules”. He says attendees were tested for COVID-19 before boarding the aircraft.
Since the party on the plane, the affairs of Mr. Awad, who owns eight companies and nearly $17 million in real estate, have sparked questions in the media. Two federal and provincial regulatory entities, in addition to the Transport Canada investigation into the Sunwing flight, would have Mr. Awad in their crosshairs, reports the daily La Presse.
Asked about the subject, Mr. Awad says he has nothing to be ashamed of. “I built my wealth. I pay my taxes. I have nothing to fear.”
Stephane Rolland, The Canadian Press