Airlines

American Airlines plane diverted after passenger calls Flight Attendant ‘waiter’

After a passenger on board called a flight attendant as a “waiter,” an American Airlines plane returned to the airfield from where it had taken off.

According to Guyana’s Stabroek News, after just two hours, the flight to Georgetown, Guyana, made a U-turn and headed back to JFK International Airport in New York City due to an incident involving a “disruptive passenger,” as the airline described it.

The passenger was identified as Joel Ghansham, a “Guyanese cultural activist,” Mr. Ghansham posted a video on YouTube with the caption “What really went down?” to give his version of the incidents.

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Mr. Ghansham, who claimed to have flown in business class, denied being disruptive and said the incident began when he asked a flight attendant for assistance because he had just had surgery in order to put his baggage in the overhead storage. He replied, ‘No, I don’t do that.’ He informed her, “I don’t get paid that kind of money, but if you don’t like it there is always another airline,” business class passenger Ghansham told the outlet. Then he apparently received assistance with the luggage from another staff member.

Around an hour into the trip, the flight attendant who had reportedly declined to help Mr. Ghansham asked the passenger if he would like anything to drink. Mr. Ghansham claimed the man responded, “No thank you, waiter.” In the video, Mr. Ghansham asserts that the flight attendant informed him that although he wasn’t a waiter, he “had the power to turn the plane [around]”; Mr. Ghansham stated that he responded, “You must be God, so you do it.”

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The flight was soon on its way back to New York, the pilot announcing over the speakers. An agent from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and a police officer reportedly met Mr Ghansham as the plane touched down, and he was questioned by both.

Mr. Ghansham says “There was not a disruption. I never got up. There was not an argument, there was not a confrontation, nobody touched each other. He was wearing a mask. He wasn’t even loud. It was just his pride.”

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Airlines

German Carrier Lufthansa Plans for 20% Job Cuts in Administration

Lufthansa Airlines is reportedly planning significant job cuts in its administrative workforce. According to Manager Magazin, the German carrier intends to reduce administrative positions by 20% as part of its cost-cutting measures amidst an anticipated decline in earnings.

This reduction could impact approximately 400 jobs, the report revealed. While Lufthansa has not directly commented on the layoffs, the airline confirmed its goal of cutting administrative costs by 20% by 2028.

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The strategy involves leveraging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation. “A hiring freeze is currently in place for administrative roles at Lufthansa Airlines,” said a company spokesperson.

The staff reduction is expected to occur through natural attrition and age-related turnover, rather than forced layoffs. The internal projection cited by the magazine warns that Lufthansa could face an operating loss of €800 million ($843.92 million) by 2026 if no corrective measures are taken.

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The report highlights the challenges companies face in aligning workforce requirements with current and future demands. Failure to adapt could necessitate drastic actions, such as restructuring and layoffs, which carry significant repercussions for both the organization and its employees.

As Lufthansa navigates these challenges, the airline appears committed to balancing cost efficiency with digital transformation to maintain its competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industry.