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A man who was escorted from an EasyJet flight because another passenger "didn't feel safe" has said he was a victim of “racial profiling".
Meghary Yemane-Tesfagiorgis was ushered off his Rome to London flight by armed police. He said this was done after another passenger complained she felt uncomfortable with his presence.
He then had to wait 15 hours for another flight. The event is the latest in a number of instances where ethnic minority EasyJet passengers were removed from flights after security concerns were allegedly raised.
After flight EZY5258 was delayed because of luggage issues, Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis, of London, said he was called to the front of the cabin where he was “greeted by armed police".
“I was asked to leave the plane by the captain," he told ITV. "When I asked him why, he explained: ‘A fellow passenger has stated that she does not feel safe with you on board.'
“I was then directed by the police to the airport police station. I was subjected to further questioning and intimidation by the Italian authorities before being left to sit in the airport for a further 15 or so hours."
He said of the incident: “I felt violated, it was racial profiling. If she feels uncomfortable, she should get off the plane."
The airline has since apologised to him, but Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis insisted: “It’s not just about me and EasyJet, it's way bigger than that.”
In a statement, the company said: “EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY5258 from Rome Fiumicino to London Gatwick on 29 March 2016 was delayed due to the police requesting that additional security checks were undertaken before departure.
“Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis was questioned by the authorities as a result of another passenger reporting concerns about his behaviour.
“The safety and security of its passengers and crew is our highest priority and airlines have to take any security-related concerns seriously.
“EasyJet rebooked Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis on the next flight from Rome to Gatwick after the authorities confirmed they were satisfied he could travel.”
In March, another black Londoner, Laolu Opebiyi, was removed from an EasyJet flight after another passenger saw a message mentioning ‘prayer’ on his mobile phone.
In the same month, an Iraqi man was prevented from taking his EasyJetflight after a passenger reported him over what she thought were "Isis messages" on his mobile phone.
Both passengers were cleared of any wrongdoing.
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A man who was escorted from an EasyJet flight because another passenger "didn't feel safe" has said he was a victim of “racial profiling".
Meghary Yemane-Tesfagiorgis was ushered off his Rome to London flight by armed police. He said this was done after another passenger complained she felt uncomfortable with his presence.
He then had to wait 15 hours for another flight. The event is the latest in a number of instances where ethnic minority EasyJet passengers were removed from flights after security concerns were allegedly raised.
After flight EZY5258 was delayed because of luggage issues, Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis, of London, said he was called to the front of the cabin where he was “greeted by armed police".
“I was asked to leave the plane by the captain," he told ITV. "When I asked him why, he explained: ‘A fellow passenger has stated that she does not feel safe with you on board.'
“I was then directed by the police to the airport police station. I was subjected to further questioning and intimidation by the Italian authorities before being left to sit in the airport for a further 15 or so hours."
He said of the incident: “I felt violated, it was racial profiling. If she feels uncomfortable, she should get off the plane."
The airline has since apologised to him, but Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis insisted: “It’s not just about me and EasyJet, it's way bigger than that.”
In a statement, the company said: “EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY5258 from Rome Fiumicino to London Gatwick on 29 March 2016 was delayed due to the police requesting that additional security checks were undertaken before departure.
“Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis was questioned by the authorities as a result of another passenger reporting concerns about his behaviour.
“The safety and security of its passengers and crew is our highest priority and airlines have to take any security-related concerns seriously.
“EasyJet rebooked Mr Yemane-Tesfagiorgis on the next flight from Rome to Gatwick after the authorities confirmed they were satisfied he could travel.”
In March, another black Londoner, Laolu Opebiyi, was removed from an EasyJet flight after another passenger saw a message mentioning ‘prayer’ on his mobile phone.
In the same month, an Iraqi man was prevented from taking his EasyJetflight after a passenger reported him over what she thought were "Isis messages" on his mobile phone.
Both passengers were cleared of any wrongdoing.
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