A report in the Cairns Post says that members of an award-winning Aboriginal dance troupe were booted off a Jetstar flight in Cairns amid claims a flight attendant was racially abused.
Jetstar last week said two passengers were ordered to leave the plane night for hurling abuse at cabin crew after they raised concerns over the allocation of a seat for a young child.
The Cairns Post understands the cabin crew have provided a report to Jetstar management detailing the abusive language, which included allegations an attendant was called a “white slut”.
But members of the Brisbane dance group Nunukul Yuggera, who were in Cairns to perform at a health conference, denied they were abusive or used foul language.
Group member Denise Ruska said they would launch legal action against Jetstar over the incident, claiming a young child was assaulted by a crew member.
The flight was delayed for more than an hour and Australian Protective Services officers were called to monitor the situation amid fears the incident could escalate.
Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said the airline fully supported the actions of cabin crew.
“I can’t reveal the contents of the report other than to say that it vindicates the decision to remove the passengers,” he said.
“The foul language was directed at staff in a very aggressive way, it was unprovoked, and the language used was cruel, offensive and ugly.
“The volley of abuse was such that after discussions with the captain two members of the group were asked to leave the plane, and subsequently all 15 members of the travelling party also left the plane.”
Mrs Ruska said the incident was sparked by a “rude” hostess who accused the group of not paying for a ticket for the young child.
“It was really unfair and I’ve never been so humiliated in my life,” Mrs Ruska said.
“One of the young kids was sitting on an adult’s lap, and the hostess asked us how old he was and told us he needed his own seat.
“I said we had a ticket for him but she said we didn’t and accused us of not paying for the seat.”
“More and more staff came over and started making a big ruckus, and the next thing we know there were security officers waiting for us when we got off the plane.”
“They assaulted our little six year old and we’re taking legal action against them.”
Another passenger who contacted The Cairns Post said he did not hear members of the group use offensive language and blamed Jetstar for mismanaging the situation.
The dance group won a Premier’s Reconciliation Award from former state premier Peter Beattie in 2005.
A Report by The Mole from the Cairns Post
