Ethiopian Airlines Addresses Public Outcry Following Viral Passenger Ejection Video

Ethiopian Airlines has addressed the recent controversy surrounding a viral video that depicted a passenger being removed from flight ET308 on July 1.

The incident occurred on a flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi and gained significant attention after CNN journalist Larry Madowo shared the video on social media, expressing his disapproval of the airline’s actions. In response to the public outcry, Ethiopian Airlines has issued a statement clarifying the circumstances of the event. The airline has explained that the flight had been overbooked as a common practice in the industry to mitigate the impact of no-shows and maximize revenue. Three passengers with standby economy class boarding passes arrived at the gate shortly before departure and were informed that the flight was full.

Despite being advised to wait for the next available flight, these individuals attempted to board the aircraft, bypassing security personnel. The airline’s staff requested that the passengers disembark, but only one complied willingly. Security personnel were then called to escort the remaining two of the aircraft due to their non-compliance. Ethiopian Airlines emphasizes that the seating arrangement was not influenced by the presence of a non-Ethiopian VIP passenger in business class, contrary to speculation.

The airline further explains its boarding protocol, stating that VIPs, Business Class passengers, and Platinum ShebaMiles members are only permitted to board after all other passengers have been seated. A misunderstanding among the standby passengers led them to believe their seats had been reallocated to a VIP, which was not the case. Ethiopian Airlines maintains that the circulating video does not accurately represent the sequence of events. While overbooking is standard practice, it can lead to frustrating situations for travellers when flights are full.

Airlines must balance the need for operational efficiency with customer satisfaction, ensuring that staff are well-trained to handle such scenarios with empathy and professionalism. Ethiopian Airlines, recognized as one of Africa’s leading carriers, has a strong reputation for safety and customer service. The airline operates an extensive network of flights to destinations worldwide and is known for its modern fleet and efficient operations.