Sunwing: 27 Canadian Passengers on an Influential Journey Face Inquiry After Returning from Cancun | world News

[ad_1]

Twenty-seven of the 130 passengers stranded in Mexico over their behavior during their flight from Canada have returned home to face an investigation.

Canadian border guards have stopped individuals after videos emerged of the celebration on a Sunwing chartered flight from Montreal to Cancun, leading to outrage in their homeland.

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said returning tourists at the border have been questioned and tested for COVID-19 and their documents, including PCR test results, checked by authorities, the Ottawa Sun reported.

CBC added that their details have been communicated to the Quebec police and the attorney general’s office.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier described their behavior as a “slap in the face” and said “like all Canadians who have watched these videos” it was “disappointing”.

Videos of the onboard party show maskless passengers huddled together, singing and dancing in their seats and in the aisle, some holding bottles of alcohol, taking phone pictures, and using e-cigarettes.

Canadian rules currently require all passengers over the age of six to wear masks on flights.

On Wednesday, after the video emerged, Mr. Duclos, Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino and Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra issued a joint statement, saying: “We are aware of the unacceptable behavior and cases of non-compliance with mask wearing and other air safety requirements that occurred on a private charter flight from Montreal. To Cancun on December 30, 2021.

“Our government takes such reported incidents very seriously. We have directed officials of our relevant departments to immediately launch an investigation into allegations of non-compliance with COVID-19 and aviation safety rules and regulations.

“Transport Canada has been in contact with the airline in relation to this flight. If management determines that a non-compliance with Transport Canada regulations and requirements has occurred, fines of up to $5,000 per offense may be issued to passengers.”

The Sun said many passengers were left out in Canada, stranded after Sunwing canceled the return flight and two other airlines – Air Transat and Air Canada – refused to fly them home as well.

At least one of the passengers later tested positive for COVID-19 after the trip to Cancun, one of Mexico’s most popular beach resorts.

The trip is understood to have been organized by a group called 111 Private Club, which is said to describe itself as an “exclusive private group by invitation only”.

The only thing that went wrong on this flight was the return flight being cancelled. Relax. Everyone can still come back, we’re just trying to find a way for everyone to come back without having to pay for their ticket. 90% of people did not pay for this event! I paid for it.

– James William Awad (@111jameswilliam) January 8, 2022

Organizer James William Awad told La Presse that the party began shortly after the group boarded, but the passengers then calmed down and returned to their seats for takeoff, before the party began again when the plane was on the rise.

He said the group is made up of a group of “influencers” and reality TV stars, as well as several of his business partners.

Earlier, he posted on Twitter: “Just like 15-20 people were partying on that plane. While everyone was seated. That’s barely 8% of the people who participated in this event. The percentage is big. Private 111 Club is C1. We We are gradually reducing this “bad” percentage.”

Sunwing President Colin Hunter told La Presse that since it was a charter flight that was fully booked by the group’s organizers, it was a private matter, but it became public.

He told the newspaper that an investigation was underway.

[ad_2]