I am sure readers know what I mean by “Qatariya” here. It means Qatar Airways, which owns and operates a fleet of large aircraft. The airline sports a logo — an oryx with the country’s flag — denoting Qatar’s wonderful ecology.
Our national airline, however, draws criticism and complaints from citizens, even as they are the staunchest supporters of what it has achieved internationally. These citizens are also the main force behind the ability of this airline to achieve phenomenal growth and win major awards.
It is disappointing to sometimes hear about the airline violating the rights of citizens, both inside Qatar and overseas.
During an episode last Tuesday, the popular radio programme “My Beloved Country, Good Morning”, received a phone call from a citizen called Mohamed, who narrated a strange story that could add to criticism of the airline.
Mohamed said that his elderly mother, who suffers from health problems, came across something shocking on a Qatar Airways flight on her way back after a surgery abroad.
After the lady boarded the plane and took her seat in Business Class, the cabin crew asked passengers to change seats for an emergency. Mohamed’s mother complied. After the plane was ready for takeoff, the flight attendant showed up and asked her to change the seat yet again even though her health wouldn’t permit it.
When the lady asked why she should again change her seat, the flight attendant couldn’t convince her and even yelled at her in full view of other passengers. The flight attendant called the pilot and told him that the passenger had refused to obey her instructions. This made things worse and the woman was told she could be thrown out of the plane. When she objected to this, the crew called in security and had her offloaded saying she threatened the security and safety of passengers.
This is unbelievable. How could a frail, old and ailing woman jeopardise the security and safety of aircraft passengers? Mohamed was sure his mother hadn’t broken aircraft rules to deserve such treatment.
After an investigation, the woman was accused of failing to fasten the seat belt and obey safety instructions. Her son denied the charge.
Mohamed said he filed a complaint with Qatar Airways about the incident, which he considered to be a major insult to her. However, the airline didn’t care a whit about the complaint.
The airline administration even threatened Mohamed saying he and his family could be barred from its planes. This is unbelievable! How can citizens be prevented from travelling in planes of the national carrier? The family includes a woman who is still recuperating from a disease and who had failed to fasten her seat belt or obey instructions of the crew.
It is unacceptable that the situation has taken such a turn. The question is: Why didn’t Qatar Airways care about Mohamed’s complaint? How long will the national carrier continue to behave inappropriately with the public of this country? Where have all its claims about communicating with and appreciating the complaints of its passengers gone?
Do the shock and embarrassment Qataris are subjected to lead to better relations with the country’s airline or even increase their confidence in the organisation?
We wait for the administration of the airline to respond and patch up with its passengers. It must take steps to boost the confidence of citizens in their country’s national carrier. Such measures must also make passengers feel that the airline is Qatari in name and deeds.
We are so keen to see the national carrier of our country in its best form.
We hope Qatar Airways planes take off and land safely while its logo keeps telling posterity a story of sacrifice and belongingness.
