A recent incident aboard a SriLankan Airlines flight operated by Air Belgium has ignited a firestorm of controversy, shedding light on the persistent issues of racism and body-shaming within the aviation industry. On April 30th, pilots and crew members of SriLankan Airlines filed a formal complaint against an Air Belgium pilot and crew, alleging discriminatory behavior and body-shaming during UL Flight operations.
The backdrop of this unsettling episode lies in a leasing agreement struck between SriLankan Airlines and Air Belgium. Facing financial turbulence, SriLankan Airlines leased two aircraft from Air Belgium to expand its fleet, deploying them on key routes including Frankfurt, Dhaka, Dubai, Paris, and Chennai. Per the agreement, while Air Belgium operates these flights, they must accommodate SriLankan Airlines pilots and crew on board.
Trouble brewed on UL Flight 501 from Colombo to Paris when SriLankan Airlines pilots, slated to fly to other destinations, were denied seats in the business class. It’s customary for pilots traveling to retrieve aircraft to be allocated business class seats, yet on this occasion, only one seat remained unoccupied. Allegations arose that Air Belgium crew had upgraded passengers without notifying their SriLankan counterparts, sparking frustration among the latter.
The situation escalated when the Air Belgium pilot, Captain Philippe Enneken, reportedly subjected the SriLankan Airlines pilots to racial abuse and threatened to offload them if they didn’t board within minutes. Capt. Enneken’s derogatory remarks continued as he labeled a SriLankan Airlines pilot an ‘asshole’ in front of passengers. Shockingly, he further exacerbated tensions by referring to one of the pilots as a ‘big fat captain,’ causing significant distress.
In a disturbing twist, Capt. Enneken announced to passengers that Belgian law would govern the flight, disregarding Sri Lankan laws. This announcement, made while the aircraft was in Colombo, exacerbated the sense of powerlessness felt by the SriLankan Airlines crew.
Beyond this specific incident, allegations of racism and discriminatory treatment towards Sri Lankan passengers have emerged, including instances of denial of service and accusations of theft by Air Belgium crew members. These deeply troubling allegations underscore systemic issues within the airline industry.
In response to the outcry, SriLankan Airlines initiated an investigation, garnering statements from affected crew members and pilots. The Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka condemned the actions of Captain Philippe Enneken and demanded immediate action, emphasizing the need to address such misconduct promptly.
The fallout from this incident extends beyond the immediate ramifications. SriLankan Airlines pilots now opt to travel on alternative airlines to position themselves for long-haul flights, incurring additional costs for the airline. Moreover, discontent simmers among pilots regarding the exorbitant cost of leasing Air Belgium flights, which fail to generate commensurate revenue.
As the agreement between Air Belgium and SriLankan Airlines approaches its end, uncertainty looms over its extension. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the imperative to confront and eradicate racism and discrimination within the aviation industry, ensuring that all passengers and crew are treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of their background or nationality.
