It was the images of an Iberia Express plane that on Sunday made the connection between Madrid and Gran Canaria with practically all the seats occupied, almost in their maximum capacity, that led the regional government of the Canary Islands to publicly address the airlines to require them to comply with the “standard that establishes adequate safety separation between passengers”, within the framework of the health protocols imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Before, through Twitter and other social networks, several passengers on the flight complained about the capacity of the plane. They reported that it was still full, without a separation seat between travelers, protesting that the safety distance recommended in the Covid-19 prevention protocols was not respected.
On social media, photos and videos appeared showing the high level of flight occupancy, with some of the passengers asking the crew for explanations.
Let someone explain this to me … @iberiaexpress pic.twitter.com/PfXbYSPnIL
– Patricia Cabrera Argüello (@ patricabrera8) May 10, 2020
@iberiaexpress @sanchezcastejon @IdiazAyuso @PabloIglesias @IreneMontero @pablocasado_ Aviation Iberia Express Madrid-Gran Canaria today What are the stories? How can I allow this? Are we crazy? pic.twitter.com/NXKCM94JsT
– Andrea Cor (@ AndreaCores89) May 10, 2020
Iberia Express presented its version in response to one of these protests via Twitter: “Hello, we are sorry to read your message”, replied to one of the passengers who had complained, saying: “We want to ensure that we comply with all safety regulations imposed by the authorities . “
“We reinforce the daily cleaning and disinfection of the cabin and all its elements and our fleet has an air system and HEPA filters that are 99.9% effective against viruses and bacteria. We are at your disposal for any question“added the company in the reply.
an air system and HEPA filters effective at 99.9% against viruses and bacteria. We are at your disposal for any question. Thank you. A saludo. /2
– Iberia Express (@iberiaexpress) May 10, 2020
The news of this flight caused outrage in several political forces. Coalición Canaria MP Ana Oramas announced via Twitter that she will ask “the Ministry to intervene immediately” because she considers the situation “inadmissible”.
In the same vein, the deputy of the Congreso de Nueva Canarias, Pedro Quevedo, announced that this Monday he will present an interpellation to the Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, so that this official will “explain what his actions will be in the face of Iberia’s irresponsibility “.
Also through the same social network, according to the EFE agency, the Minister of Public Works and Transport of the Canarian Government, Sebastián Franquis (PSOE), spoke out to demand that “airlines comply with the rules on safety distances” and announced who contacted the Ministry of Transport to express its “enormous concern about these violations”.
Both the Community of Madrid and the Canary Islands were still in phase 0 of deflation on Sunday. This Monday, the Canaries moved to phase 1.
Almost since the start of the state of emergency in Spain, flights to the Canary Islands are reduced to low frequency per week and passengers are obliged to justify the need to fly, as there is no authorization for travel for tourist purposes.
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