Ryanair's CEO has issued an apology after a flight attendant mistakenly announced that Tel Aviv, a city in Israel, was located in Palestine. Eddie Wilson expressed his regrets to the
Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group, clarifying that it was an "innocent mistake."
The incident occurred on a flight from Bologna to Tel Aviv on June 10. A junior cabin crew member unintentionally declared that the plane would soon be landing in Palestine. In a letter to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Wilson explained that Ryanair was "100% satisfied that this was an innocent mistake with no political overtones or intent."
Despite the cabin crew's apologies, several passengers lodged complaints, and their discontent escalated even after the incident. Consequently, police were called to meet the aircraft upon landing, according to Mr. Wilson.
Using the name "Palestine" instead of modern-day Israel signifies a lack of recognition for the Jewish state and is considered highly provocative by most Israelis. As news of the incident spread, some Israeli media figures urged a boycott of Ryanair unless an apology was issued.
Highlighting the significance of the relationship between Ryanair and Israel, Mr. Wilson emphasized that Israel was an "important partner" and the second-largest airline for the company. He further stated their plans to invest in Israel, aiming to enhance travel and connectivity for both Israelis heading to Europe and tourists visiting Israel.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center sent a letter to Ryanair, informing them of the numerous complaints received regarding the incident. The organization stated that passengers had requested a correction after the announcement, but their plea was denied.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, raised a rhetorical question, asking how Ryanair would react if their flight attendant repeatedly announced on a flight to Dublin that passengers were soon arriving in the UK. He emphasized that while everyone is entitled to their opinions, they should not promote alternative facts. Photo by Gellerj, Wikimedia commons.