Earlier this month, KLM made headlines with the possible intention to stop serving meat on intercontinental flights in the future. Director customer experience Boet Kreiken would oppose The Telegraph have said that economy-class meat is already no longer served on European flights, and that this policy will be “rolled out across the rest of the network in the coming years.”
‘No understanding for us’
Many people in Ghana are against this, Nico van Staalduinen tells RTL Nieuws. The Dutch Van Staalduinen has been living in Ghana for 17 years, together with his wife. “We are meat lovers, just like most Ghanaians. KLM, but also other airlines and companies, have absolutely no understanding of how different cultures are. The decision to offer vegetarian dishes would lead to massive customer loss.”
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And that is why Van Staalduinen decided to organize a ‘playful protest’. He had already booked a flight to the Netherlands for medical reasons, and decided to use the trip to express his displeasure. “Before the flight, in the waiting area, I handed out leaflets with the text that Ghanaians are not vegetarians. I also had two large posters with me, with the same meaning. Those posters were intended for Ghanaians in Amsterdam, so that they can protest too. .”
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On board the plane, the posters were rolled up and the flyers tucked away, says Van Staalduinen. “The flight attendant told me she wanted to confiscate the posters. I am well versed in aviation safety rules and did not want to cause any problem at all, so I agreed. A few moments later the flight attendant returned with the captain, she told him I had threatened her. I vehemently denied this, but there was no discussion. Me and my wife had to get off the plane.”
‘No plans for vegetarian menu’
In a response, KLM informs RTL Nieuws that a passenger has indeed been refused on the relevant flight. “This has happened due to inadmissible behavior and failure to follow instructions from the crew.” About the purpose of the promotion, the airline says that there are currently no concrete plans to switch completely to vegetarian meals.
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