Unions applaud crew and firefighter action over BA2276 evacuation

Many of the cabin crew are members of the ITF-affiliated Unite union based at Gatwick airport in the UK.

Jim McAuslan, general secretary of ITF-affiliated BALPA (British Airline Pilots Association), said that the crew and firefighters had been “brilliant”. Sean Beatty of BASSA (British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association), which is part of Unite, commented that this was a day that all cabin crew and pilots throughout the world could be proud of the professionalism and courage shown by our sisters and brothers at Gatwick.

Sara Nelson from the AFA-CWA USA, and vice-chair of the ITF’s cabin crew committee, said: “We are so proud of the actions of the crew. We applaud their grace and professional action in the face of a literal fire that threatened the lives of all on board. They are wonderful representatives for all of aviation's first responders.”

She added that the AFA stood ready to assist in any way with support for the crew.

ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho commented that the crew and firefighters had averted a major human tragedy and that the professionalism, skills and dedication of crew members were critical to airline safety day in, day out.