General News of Tuesday, 8 June 2004

Source: Joy Online

Investigations Commences Into Flight Hold-Up

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Airways, Ekua Frimponma Sarpong, has started investigating allegations that the cabin crew of Ghana Airways? flight GH 713 delayed the departure time of the airline in Duseldorf, Germany.

Mrs. Frimponma Sarpong told JoyNews that the case hitherto had been handled at the departmental level ? but following persistent complaints of victimisation by the affected crew, it became apparent that a higher authority needed to look into the matter.

Hence she had started investigations into the matter.

According to a statement from the embattled cabin crew, they?ve been removed from their scheduled flight pending investigations into the allegations against them.

Sources say the flight was delayed for at least two hours after the crew demanded the payment of their per diem.

Reports said the crew had not been paid their per diem after operating the flight from Accra to London.

And when they demanded payment, they were however promised that they will be paid in Germany.

But this promise was not fulfilled and the cabin crew then decided not to board unless their demands were met explaining that their colleagues of the cockpit department had been paid.

The management of the airline has interpreted the move by the Cabin Crew as a strike action.

But according to a member of the affected crew, the demands they made whilst at Duseldorf were legitimate because their per diem had not been paid.

Speaking to JoyNews, The Acting Chief Executive of the national carrier, Ekua Frimponma Sarpong said she is yet to receive an official report on the incident but added that full-scale investigations will be conducted into the matter.