Etihad Airways - Racist Comments by Etihad airport staff
Coming back from US, I was supposed to travel through EY231 (AA9080) from AUH to ISB on January 16th, 2016. My wife and sons (5year and 2year) were also accompanying me during the travel.
The flight took off normally but due to poor visibility at ISB the captain eventually decided to return back to AUH. After returning to the airport it was revealed that the next flight will be on January 17th, at 15:05. As we returned to AUH at 5:00 in the morning, therefore there is a delay of 10 hours in the next flight. As we were travelling for almost 36 hours with kids, therefore I requested the Etihad airport staff for a hotel room where we might have some rest.
The response from the multiple Etihad representatives was quite surprising and shocking, as one of them clearly told me that with Pakistani passport you are not eligible for this luxury.
Adding insult to the injury, I saw people who were Americans/British, etc., being provided with the accommodation in the hotels, while the people who belong to Pakistan were penalized for their nationality, which in my opinion is an extreme act of racism.
Reason of review: Racist comments by Etihad Staff.
Etihad Airways Cons: Staff attitude.
Location: Islamabad, Islamabad
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Dear Guest,
We're sorry to hear of this experience and disruption to your recent flight with us.
Our team would be happy to further investigate this for you, kindly send your booking reference and feedback to socialmedia@etihad.ae
Our team will be happy to create a formal case and will update you as soon as this has been reviewed. *GW
Nothing racist here. First, the comment was not directed to the person but the nature of the passport.
Europeans and Americans do not need a visa to enter UAE. Persons from a lot of other countries, apparently including Pakistan, require a visa to enter the UAE.
The writer does not indicate he or his family had such visas. It may very well be that the hotels to which passengers were being sent, were outside the airport.