Canada asks regulator to probe maskless party on Sunwing flight as COVID cases soar

[marmar]

MONTREAL, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Canada's minister of transport on Tuesday called for an investigation into reports of maskless revelers on a recent Sunwing Airlines flight to Cancun, as the country battles soaring cases of COVID-19.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Twitter he had asked regulator Transport Canada to investigate media reports of passengers snapping selfies, drinking alcohol and congregating close together on the Dec. 30 flight from Montreal.

"I am aware of the reports of unacceptable behavior on a Sunwing flight," Alghabra said.

"Transport Canada has been in contact with the airline concerning this flight," the regulator said in a statement late on Tuesday, adding that the passengers could be fined up to C$5,000 ($3,932.98) per offence if Transport Canada determines they were not complying with regulations.

The Toronto-headquartered leisure operator said by email that the behavior of a group of passengers on the private charter flight "was unruly and contravened several Canadian aviation regulations as well as public health regulations." ...........(more)

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-asks-regulator-probe-maskless-party-airline-covid-cases-soar-2022-01-04/

[royable]

1. Sounds as though if the passengers were on a private chartered flight to Cancun for New Year's Eve..

...that a C$5,000 fine would be just a slap on the wrist for them.

Well, on second thought, the C$5,000 fine is per offence. What constitutes an offence? One breath exhalation, perhaps? Let's see, 15 breaths per minute for a six hour flight, is C$27,000,000. That sounds like a more appropriate fine.

[Bev54]

3. No no, these are not rich people, some won seats in a contest. Sunwing is a low budget

holiday airline. Some of them are students but they will have a price to pay for their stupidity and most Canadians are behind them facing consequences, while the rest of us stay home and do the right thing.

[Bev54]

2. They were not only maskless and partying and singing as well as drinking private alcohol

they were seen vaping and dancing. This was an inflight danger to all and now 30 of them have tested positive for covid and all of them are stuck in Mexico because the charter company has refused to fly them back. They have broke several laws and have to pay for their own accommodation until they can find an airline to bring them home. So far two other airlines refuse to allow the on their planes. I hope there are tough consequences for all.