Next time your flight lands without incident, consider yourself fortunate. At least no one rioted.
The passengers on several flights in southwest China weren’t so lucky. Angry air travelers reportedly scuffled with police, smashing computers and desks after their flights were delayed with no food or accommodation offered.
More than 170 passengers were stranded for a night at an airport in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, after three China Southern flights were grounded late Monday because of bad weather. Some passengers were told to go to a hotel by themselves but ended up being rejected once they arrived.
Instead, passengers had to spend the night on an aircraft or in the departure hall without food.
It’s hardly the first time passengers have turned violent as a group.
Earlier this month, a flight from Miami to New York was canceled because of a near-riot. The flight crew arrived late. Passengers turned angry, impatient and hostile and the crew didn’t feel safe flying. You can see the TV report here.
Perhaps it’s a seasonal phenomenon. Last year, you’ll recall, the passengers on Continental Flight 1669 from Caracas to Newark protested loudly after their plane spent five hours on the tarmac.
They banged on the overhead compartments; clapping their hands; even signing this petition, asking to be let off.
Technically, it wasn’t a violent uprising, but it was a sign of things to come. Too bad the airline industry dismissed it as an isolated incident.
