Public figure Rasul Kusherbayev stated that while flying from Samarkand to Abu Dhabi, he accidentally sat in front of the emergency exit and did not understand when the crew members explained the responsibilities of passengers sitting there. When Kusherbayev asked the crew to explain the rules in Uzbek or Russian, they asked him to leave the plane. According to the company representative, the airline’s operational procedures do not require rules to be explained in Uzbek. After the incident, Kusherbayev filed a complaint with the authorities against the airline.

In its letter to Kun.uz, Wizz Air stated that an internal investigation had been conducted regarding the incident. The results showed that the actions taken were in accordance with internal regulations, international standards, and safety rules regarding sitting in front of the emergency exit. The passenger was expected to speak and understand English, the airline said in its response.

Additionally, the airline explained that according to onboard communication rules, explanations are only given in English and Arabic. The crew members were not responsible for speaking to the passenger in Russian, Uzbek, or any other language not officially designated.

How did the crew and passenger interact?

According to Wizz Air’s official response, despite claiming not to know English, the passenger confirmed he understood the rules. The escalation of the issue was attributed to an unreasonable demand related to language. Wizz Air emphasized that its crew prioritizes passenger safety and comfort and handles situations with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.

It was reported that Kusherbayev raised his voice during the interaction, attempted to involve other passengers in the discussion, and accused the crew of disrespecting Uzbekistan. Although the crew members tried to de-escalate the situation, the passenger further aggravated the discussion. Wizz Air stated that it does not accept acts of disobedience.

As per official requirements, the Abu Dhabi police were called to document the incident. It was also reported that Kusherbayev later apologized to the crew members. Wizz Air operates in accordance with the laws of the Abu Dhabi Emirate and adheres to international safety standards. The airline’s press relations officer, Anastasia Novak, expressed gratitude for the crew’s actions, emphasizing their focus on safety.