A scuffle between Syrian air hostesses supporting their country's government and those against it resulted in the delay of a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight to Dubai, a Saudi newspaper reported Monday.
Witnesses told Al-Watan that the airplane was not more than 15 minutes into its ascent when the altercation broke out between the flight attendants.
The flight attendants have since been asked to refrain from engaging in public discussion of politics, especially given the distraction it causes and the fact that the recent incident occurred on company time, which could be grounds for dismissal.
“The problem is they are working in Saudi Arabia, which is supporting the Syrian people,” an official with Saudi Arabian Airlines told Al-Watan, noting that the airlines did not want the conflict to escalate to the point where it affected the company’s image or customer comfort and services.
The source added that the airline was keeping its commitment not to fly to Syria in line with international sanctions, which he said target the Syrian government and not the people.
