Today is International Cabin Crew Day. We salute all the world’s cabin crew for their dedication to helping people stay connected through air travel. We pay special tribute to those whose livelihoods have fallen victim to the pandemic. And the salute includes all who continue to keep people safe in-flight during the pandemic.
Sadly, these trying times have not brought out the best in all of us. The return of travel has seen a rise in reports of disruptive passengers in some areas of the globe. This behaviour is unacceptable. The actions of a minority of badly-behaved passengers will not be tolerated.
All passengers must adhere to the rules and procedures needed to keep passengers and crew safe and healthy. In the pandemic that includes instructions for temporary measures such as mask-wearing. Failing to comply with safety measures is never acceptable, and passengers should expect a zero-tolerance approach to abusive behaviour to crew or their fellow passengers.
An international framework is a critical deterrent. But the acceptance of Montreal Protocol 14 (MP 14), which enables the prosecution of unruly behaviour onboard international services, is not yet universal. We urge all governments to ratify MP14 without delay.
We also ask governments to recognise the importance of crew, and the air transport industry more widely, by prioritising aircrew for vaccination as recommended by ICAO, and in line with World Health Organisation recommendation for governments to prioritise vaccinations for transport workers.
We will get through this crisis. And when the freedom to travel is fully restored, we know that we can count on the world’s cabin crew to help us travel safely.
Joint statement from IATA and ITF on International Cabin Crew Day
news
ON THE GROUND
news
Press Release
Marine Stewardship Council must confront forced labour in certified fisheries
The MSC label’s ‘blue tick’ does not represent an ethical consumer choice when fishers suffer severe labour rights abuses, open letter reveals. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification is
news
Press Release
DRC crisis worsens: ITF condemns violence and calls for the immediate protection of civilians
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) condemns the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee
news
DCA crash underscores aviation workers’ heavy responsibility and unwavering commitment
In light of the announcement that the PSA Airlines Flight 5342 crash has now moved to a recovery operation, the ITF mourns the tragic loss of life of the crew and passengers on board the aircraft and