Johannesburg: Dangerous place for airline crews
Once again Johannesburg is in the headlines regarding airline crew members whose lives were put in danger.
It seems Johannesburg is not a great place for British Airways. Another of the airline’s overnighting crew members has become the victim of crime.
Several British Airways crew members staying over between flights have in recent times been subjected to crime in Johannesburg.
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JOHANNESBURG CREW INCIDENT
Sky News reports that a British Airways pilot was allegedly tortured after he was kidnapped while shopping, during a Johannesburg layover.
The BA pilot was reportedly approached by a woman in a car park, who asked him to help with her bags. Upon reaching her vehicle, the pilot was pushed inside it by a group of men.
They then drove to a remote location where he was harassed and assaulted.
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VICTIM OF CRIME
The British Airways pilot fell for a kidnapping scam when agreeing to help a woman in need, and before he knew it, was bundled into a vehicle and driven away.
He then endured hours of torture and physical assault while being forced to give thousands of Pounds to criminals. The incident has left the entire crew shaken.
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JOHANNESBURG LAYOVERS
In July last year, a British Airways captain was held at gunpoint and stabbed in a terrifying attack while taking for a jog on a layover in Johannesburg.
In February 2022 a BA crew member’s body was found in Johannesburg after walking back to the designated airline crew hotel alone.
The man allegedly got separated from his colleagues and was found dead at 4am.
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BRITISH AIRWAYS
British Airways apparently restricts its employees from leaving the security-approved premises where the airline crews stay.
The airline said it is supporting its employee who was subjected to this harrowing incident.
“We are supporting our colleague and the local authorities with their investigation.” British Airways told SkyNews.
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