BBC presenter says being kicked off flight was ‘humiliating’ as she hits out at airline | UK | News | EUROtoday

A BBC climate presenter whose household was kicked off a flight has stated the ordeal was “humiliating”. Georgie Palmer, 49, her husband Nick Sollom, 48, and daughters Rosie, 12, and Annie, 14, had been ordered off the airplane after they advised the crew Rosie was allergic to peanuts.

Staff on the flight from Gatwick Airport to Dalaman in Turkey refused to make an announcement to inform passengers to not eat peanuts, in accordance with Ms Palmer.

The forecaster stated she gently requested fellow passengers sitting round her to not eat peanuts and to move the message on.

But Ms Palmer claimed the “angry” captain of the jet insisted they get off the airplane earlier than it could take off.

She advised Good Morning Britain the expertise was “absolutely humiliating” for her daughter. Ms Palmer added: “When he (the captain) found out I had spoken to the other passengers he was screaming at me from the cockpit. He was so angry.

“The subsequent factor I knew we had been advised to get off the airplane. It is admittedly stunning how each passenger on that airplane was so fantastic, however no person engaged on that airplane confirmed one ounce of compassion.”

Ms Palmer added: “Rosie is in a horrible state about this. It has ruined her vacation. We do not go away on a regular basis. We possibly fly yearly and have by no means had issues with different airways.

“If we had known that policy, we would never have booked with them. We have been through the website with a fine-tooth comb and there is nothing.”

She stated there was no technique to inform the airline beforehand and puzzled how many individuals with peanut allergy symptoms would fly on SunExpress this summer time not realizing the coverage.

Ms Palmer stated even when her daughter did not come into direct contact with a peanut, if somebody ate one on board, then she may die.

The presenter stated three days after what occurred the household nonetheless hadn’t heard from SunExpress and the household’s insurance coverage says the captain has the discretion to take away individuals for no cause.

A spokesman for SunExpress stated: “We take the safety of our passengers very seriously. Shortly after boarding our flight from London Gatwick, the passenger raised a concern about one of his family group having a serious peanut allergy and requested an announcement to other passengers.

“We chorus from making these sorts of bulletins as, like many different airways, we can’t assure an allergen-free surroundings on our flights, nor forestall different passengers from bringing meals objects containing allergens on board.”

The spokesman said due to the “insistent behaviour” of the passenger to others on board that they should not consume nuts, the captain decided it would be safest if the family did not travel on the flight.

He added: “When this was defined to the passenger, he did exhibit aggressive behaviour in direction of our crew members and tried to realize entry to the cockpit.

“To ensure the safety of our crew and our passengers on board, we cannot tolerate aggressive and unruly behaviour on our flights.

“Additionally, our web site states passengers should notify us 48 hours prematurely of any particular care required as a consequence of a medical situation and no such notification was acquired from the passengers on this occasion.”

The spokesman said the airline is fully aware this was an upsetting situation for the family and is taking the incident as an opportunity to conduct a review of the information provided during the booking process to ensure “more practical options” for passengers with allergy symptoms.

Mr Sollom denied behaving aggressively, however admitted to feeling irked by the choice. He stated he knocked on the cockpit door in a bid to talk to the captain after being advised the household’s baggage had been being faraway from the airplane.