An Australian woman has been banned from Virgin airlines for life after she was filmed hurling racist insults at a Sydney family on a flight from Sydney to Nadi.
Fijian authorities were alerted about the incident after the woman on board flight VA 181 to Nadi began verbally abusing the family sitting across from her.
The woman is seen swearing at the family and mentioning the religion they follow.
Nine News says the woman’s distressed son can be seen repeatedly putting his hands over her mouth in an attempt to stop her ranting.
She continues swearing, then saying that she has done nothing and are they now a minority.
The woman is also seen arguing as cabin crew repeatedly try to subdue her.
The Australian woman then threatens to “knock out” the passenger filming her.
The family at the receiving end of the woman’s insults claim she had been drinking vodka from a bottle in her handbag throughout the flight.
They say that for the woman to sit there and accuse them of being Muslim terrorists and associating them with those people, who are just a minority that do those things, it was offensive to the family.
It has been reported that the Australian woman was escorted from the plane by Fijian authorities.
Virgin Australia says it takes the safety of its guests and crew very seriously.
It says that the passenger acted in an inappropriate manner towards other passengers and their crew.
The airline company says the matter is now in the hands of the Fijian authorities and out of respect for the privacy of their passengers and crew, it would be inappropriate to provide any further details.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro says there was no official report lodged and airline officials had asked the Border Police officers to warn the passenger as she was acting in an unruly manner as she had allegedly been under the influence of alcohol.
She says no further action will be taken.
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