Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport was the scene of a scuffle between a Czech flight crew and angry Israeli passengers on Thursday, reports Ynetnews.
Expecting to take a flight to Paris via Arkia, an Israeli airline, a number of travelers became openly hostile when they realized that they would instead be boarding a Czech airplane leased from a Czech airline (Travel Service). Many refused to board despite the presence of Arkia flight attendants.
Passengers voiced concerns over security, saying they would only feel safe flying with an Israeli company. One particularly adamant traveler stated: “I won’t have Czechs flying me!”
A Czech eyewitness to the commotion said that dozens of Israeli passengers started attacking and swearing at the Czech flight crew. Police intervention calmed the situation but several hold outs refused to board the delayed flight.
A statement released by Arkia expressed general bafflement with the situation: “The Czech airline is one of the biggest and most reliable airlines in Europe…We are astounded at the exaggerated response from some of the passengers.”