The Dutch airline KLM has apologised after a group of ground workers at its hub at Amsterdam Schipol Airport apparently celebrated the departure of a passenger plane to Casablanca because Morrocan passengers were leaving the Netherlands. KLM said it was “shocked” by the video that first appeared on social media and has since caused outrage in Morocco.
“Yes yes! There goes another plane full of Moroccans going back to Morocco,” a ground services worker can be heard saying in the video. “Give them all a one-way ticket! F*** off! F*** off!” the man says in Dutch.
The workers are apparently celebrating the departure of a Royal Air Maroc plane to Casablanca. Only one person, seen wearing a KLM uniform, appears in the video but several voices are heard amid shouting and cheering at the plane’s departure.
Reacting to the video, KLM said: “We were shocked by the contents of a video on social media, showing personnel in a KLM vest and work gear cheering at the sight of an aircraft taking off to Morocco. The people in video can be heard making unacceptable comments.”
“Regrettably, we have had to conclude that at least one Ground Services employee was involved in this video. This behaviour is totally unacceptable. It is contrary to the core values we uphold as a company and as a division.
“There is no place for this kind of behaviour, neither at KLM nor within the broader airport community. Appropriate action will therefore be taken.”
It’s not clear when the video was taken but it may have been recorded in response to the conviction of far-right politician Geert Wilders for insulting Moroccans.
On Tuesday, the Dutch Supreme Court upheld Wilders’ conviction after he was found guilty of insulting Moroccans during a campaign rally back in 2014. During the rally, Wilders asked the crowd if they wanted fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands. When they responded by shouting “fewer!”, Wilders replied: “We’re going to take care of that”.
I’d be cheering as well! Bravo!
why?
So go back to whatever hole you and your ancestors came from.
Regardless of the underlying sentiment of the ground workers, isn’t it good that Moroccans are being repatriated to their homeland? I’m sure the group of returnees was actually happy to go home. If the ground worker shouted in the video yay they finally get to return to their homeland and family would that then be ok??
“Give them all a one-way ticket! F*** off! F*** off!” what a friendly farewell!
Why did they apologize?
If I hear 2 or three employees complain about something or someone, there is a greater than average chance it can be personal. But, when I have 5, 10 employees or 90% OF A COUNTRY! There might be some merit there people and if that is the case than I see no problem giving them a good old fashioned middle finger “Phuck Off!” Send off.
And when the westerners visit Morocco all of them are always ovewhelmed by the incredible welcoming they receive from the moroccans, as a Moroccan this behaviour saddens me…
Learn some manners before traveling abroad, or stay in your cave.