New Delhi: Air India has confirmed media reports that a female flight attendant of the airline was attacked by an intruder at a London hotel earlier this week. On Sunday, Air India issued a statement after several media reports questioned the security arrangements for cabin crew staying at various hotels. “We are deeply saddened by an unlawful break-in at a hotel belonging to a major international chain, which also affected one of our own hotels,” the airline wrote on social media platform X.
According to the post, the airline has offered professional counseling to the crew who experienced the horror. “At Air India, we are as concerned about this incident as all of you. We are providing all possible support, including professional counseling, to our colleagues and the entire team. Air India is also cooperating with the local police and will pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law,” the airline added.
What happened to the Air India crews in London?
According to sources in news agency PTI, a homeless man stormed into the room of the hotel where the female flight attendant was staying and attacked her. When she screamed, other people staying nearby came and rescued her and the person was caught, they said. According to one of the sources, the flight attendant was allegedly sexually assaulted in the hotel, while two other sources claimed it was a physical attack.
The incident took place at a star hotel near London’s Heathrow airport. The cabin crew member has returned to India and is currently undergoing therapeutic treatment, the sources added. After the incident came to light, airline employees complained about security issues through the airline’s internal communication platform. One of them claimed that the hotel staff was unavailable at night and there was no control over entry to the premises, one of the sources said.
While the airline did not reveal many details of the incident in its latest statement, it asked people not to rely on social media claims as it has faced internet wrath on several occasions for its “poor services”. “Our team in London is actively monitoring the safety aspects and is available to provide any assistance during this time. Air India gives utmost importance to the safety and well-being of all employees travelling on duty. We request that the privacy of those involved be respected. We request everyone to refrain from speculating on social media posts and use their judgement,” the Air India post added.
Cabin crew relocated to another hotel: Air India
“We constantly review travel and stay arrangements with reputable international hotel chains based on feedback from our employees and internal reviews to ensure the safety and comfort of employees. In this particular case, we have taken immediate action and decided to relocate our colleagues to another hotel. We have reached out to the management of the current hotel to ensure the safety of colleagues staying there. We have been assured that there will be no compromise on safety until our colleagues are relocated to another hotel,” the post said.
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