WestJet flies through political turbulence
Canadian airline WestJet has found itself in the middle of a political row.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and other party officials and supporters were flying back to Calgary after a convention.
During the flight Poilievre was given access to the cabin PA system and gave a ‘political speech.’
Most passengers were delegates from the convention.
The airline has been taking flak with calls for a customer boycott.
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline is ‘non-partisan by nature.’
Poilievre’s speech was short and included several humorous airline analogies.
He posted video footage of it on Twitter/X.
There’s a little turbulence on the horizon.
But a new crew is on the way for the country we know and love. Let’s bring it home. pic.twitter.com/bW70bkW9d5
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) September 11, 2023
Still, it drew criticism on social media.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees also took issue with it.
“It’s very disappointing that WestJet management let a politician use the system for his political statement,” the union said.
“It is doubly disappointing that WestJet is now trying to assign blame on the cabin crew.”
“Cabin crew should never be put in a position of having to take a political stance.”
WestJet has said it will look at revising its policy.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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