ITF statement: Asiana Airlines flight 214 tragedy

09 July 2013

ITF statement: Asiana Airlines flight 214 tragedy

Asiana Airlines flight 214 crashed dramatically on arrival at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday.Footage of Asiana Airlines flight 214 showed the full horror of the crash, and the professionalism and bravery of the crew in their quick reaction in a terrifying situation.

The flight had almost 300 people on board, including an infant and at least 16 crewmembers.  ITF affiliates worldwide have been quick to draw attention to the bravery of the Asiana Airlines crewmembers, in evacuating passengers speedily.

Sito Pantoja, general vice-president for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), member of the ITF’s management committee and chair of its civil aviation section said, “We commend the cabin crew for such heroism. Their professionalism in the face of such a catastrophe is truly remarkable and they, along with the passengers and emergency workers,  remain in our hearts and minds during these trying times”.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) said in a moving statement on its website ‘No matter the uniforms we wear or the airline for which we fly, all of aviation’s first responders are a part of our family. We all remain steadfast in our thoughts and prayers for the Asiana crewmembers, passengers and their families.’

The Association for ProfessionalFlight Attendants (APFA) described in a statement on its website the professionalism of the flight attendants on the flight, stating that: “Lives were saved…because of their response”.

Asiana Airlines crewmembers are represented by the Korean Federation of Public Services and Transportation Workers’ Union (KPTU). US unions have been in touch with the KPTU already to offer assistance to crewmembers on the ground.

Gabriel Mocho Rodriguez, sectionsecretary for civil aviation at the ITF, said: “We at the ITF also wish to share our appreciation and condolences with those affected by Saturday's tragic accident. Our thoughts are with those affected by the accident, their families and loved ones. We also applaud the crewmembers’ professionalism. Seeing the plane after the crash, one would think that barely anybody on board would have survived. It is thanks to the training of the Asiana Airlines crewmembers and their bravery in putting it into action that so many survived this dreadfulaccident. Their swift reactions underlines the important role that professional cabin crew can play in such disasters”. 

ENDS

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