Disabled teenager and family kicked off Emirates flight
A disabled teenager and his family have been kicked off an Emirates flight while flying home to France, because he has epilepsy.
Kiwi Adam Brown travelled to New Zealand with his wife and three boys to visit their extended family.
Their son Eli, who has epilepsy, autism and severe learning difficulties, had flown all around the world with no problem.
Despite having medical clearance to fly, Adam Brown’s son was kicked off a flight during the last leg of their trip from Dubai to Lyon.
Thanks @emirates for removing our family from your flight. Our son has epilepsy: we had told you, just come 14 hr from Melbourne, got his doctor on the phone & medical clearance while still on board. He has #autism & severe learning difficulties - v traumatic. pic.twitter.com/1JXw9A4EYM
— Isabelle Kumar (@Isabelle_kumar) July 25, 2018
While they were waiting to take off in Dubai, the family were approached by staff and were asked to get off the plane.
"They said Eli wasn’t allowed on the plane, despite already taking two Emirates flights from New Zealand without a problem, despite his doctor on the phone saying he was fine, and an email and medical certificate saying the same,” said Eli’s uncle Miles, who had been in contact with the family.
“They kicked them off with such gusto, even threatened to get police to remove them.”
Hi @FrankRGardner exhausted in grotty hotel - wondering why it took @Emirates 9 hours to respond after being forced to leave Dubai to Lyon flight with our disabled epileptic son today. Happy to give you the background will fwd @euronews articles https://t.co/T59MxHPJ92
— Isabelle Kumar (@Isabelle_kumar) July 25, 2018
Once the family were off the plane, the ground medical crew assessed Eli and deemed him fit to fly, Miles said.
“They were scratching their heads, and said of course he is OK to fly. Regardless, the cabin chief would not let them on the plane.”
Eli’s mother, Euronews journalist Isabelle Kumar, shared on Twitter that it took nine hours before Emirates responded to their situation and put them up in a “grotty hotel”.
7 hours after we were meant to get on your flight @emirates and still waiting... we thought you had a solution? Where is it? Now please... pic.twitter.com/tBPZbcoxBM
— Isabelle Kumar (@Isabelle_kumar) July 25, 2018
Miles said the family were “incredibly upset” over the incident.
“The boys were crying. It is quite challenging, travelling with your disabled boy across to the other side of the world so he can see his family. We would have expected some more empathy.”