Black Passengers On American Airlines Warned

Accra, Oct. 25, (UPI/GNA) - The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) issued a warning to all black passengers about their safety and well-being on American Airlines flights.

The travel warning, issued late Tuesday, was said to be the result of alleged "troublesome conduct" by the airline.

The NAACP warning said it suspected that American Airlines staff may have a "corporate culture of racial insensitivity" or "bias."

"The NAACP for several months now has been monitoring a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines," the advisory said.

"In light of these confrontations, we have today taken the action of issuing national advisory alerting travellers, especially African Americans, to exercise caution, in that booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions."

The group announced that the travel advisory would go on until further notice.

The NAACP listed a series of incidents involving black passengers being removed from flights or being removed from first-class and sent to coach without consent.

The airline, the world's largest by revenue, fleet and miles flown, has not yet responded to the group's advisory.

The group said the listed incidents were perhaps only the "tip of the iceberg."

"All travellers must be guaranteed the right to travel without fear of threat, violence or harm," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said.

"We expect an audience with the leadership of American Airlines to air these grievances and to spur corrective action. Until these and other concerns are addressed, this national travel advisory will stand."

The civil rights group issued a similar advisory for the state of Missouri in August.

The NAACP, founded in 1909, is the nation's oldest civil rights organization.

GNA