Tui opens investigation into flight after 16 positive cases

Tui opens investigation into flight from Greek island Zante after 16 people test positive and concerning reports reveal health and safety regulations were not followed.

According to one of the passengers who spoke to BBC Radio 4, the flight was “full of selfish ‘covidiots’ and an inept crew”.

Stephanie Whitfield, one of those onboard, said on Monday that many of her fellow passengers were not wearing masks correctly and seemed to “disregard the rules”.

“Lots of the people were wearing the masks underneath their noses or even underneath their chins,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “They were taking the masks off to talk to friends and they were going up and down the aisles to talk to their friends without their masks on.”

The almost 200 passengers onboard have been told to self-isolate after the coronavirus outbreak was registered.

She also said that “the vast majority” of passengers were not reminded of the rules. “There was a chap sat next to me who had his mask around his chin for the full flight, and the stewardess was talking to him and she didn’t say anything to him,” she said.

Tui said it was concerned to hear Whitfield’s claims and a full investigation was underway.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is our highest priority and we operate all flights in line with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines,” the company said.