VIRGIN IGNORES ABORIGINAL PASSENGER

GEOFF VIVIAN

A Nyul Nyul man says Virgin flight attendants ignored him when serving other passengers with food and drinks on a flight from Perth to Broome last week.

Gregory Francis said they only served him when a fellow passenger complained. After this he said they apologised to the fellow passenger, a white man, and refused to acknowledge him.

“They served everyone sitting in the row with me,” Mr Francis said.

“I had not said a word to anyone at that time, I was awake waiting to be served.”

Mr Francis said the purpose of his trip to Perth was to buy a car but he was so upset by the incident he flew home to Broome as soon as he could.

“In today’s society this shouldn’t be happening,” he said. “The hostess are there to serve everyone on the plane and they go in a step-by-step procedure in serving people so how would they miss one person in their process?”

Ngaarda Media contacted a passenger sitting in the same row who confirmed Mr Francis’ story.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said Mr Francis’ accusations were “counter cultural” to Virgin and everything its “wonderful team members” stood for.

“We believe that everyone deserves to be welcomed and respected,” she wrote.