The passenger who was forcibly removed from an overbooked United Airlines plane has spoken about the incident as internet users in Asia called for a boycott of the company.
David Dao, a 69-year-old American doctor, was dragged from his seat by airline police officials at O’Hare international airport in Chicago on Sunday after refusing to leave.
Videos of Dao screaming and bleeding from his mouth have gone viral and the company as attracted much criticism.
Dao is receiving treatment in a Chicago hospital and told local cable TV channel that “everything” was injured after being violently forced from his seat.
His family issued a statement thanking the public for their support.
“The family of Dr Dao wants the world to know that they are very appreciative of the outpouring of prayers, concern and support they have received”, the family’s attorney, Stephen Golan, said.
“Currently, they are focused only on Dr. Dao’s medical care and treatment.”
Golan is one of two lawyers hired by the doctor’s family, which suggests Dao could be preparing to sue the airline.
Outrage in Asia...
Initial reports that Dao was Chinese sparked outrage on social media in China, with internet users accusing the company of discrimination.
A post about Dao’s treatment on Chinese microblogging site, Weibo, had been viewed more than 600m times by this afternoon.
One Weibo user called for Chinese travellers to avoid the airline, which operates flights out of Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shanghai.
“Let’s boycott it together,” a person wrote under the username of Nasenmenghe.
Another criticised the company for discrimination against Asians.
“Everybody should be equal. [America] shouts about equal rights but has done such dirty things,” said Weibo user Yuan Tianweilaoshi.
The anger spread to Vietnam today after it was reported that Dao was born in the country and moved to the US in the 1970s. “Watching this makes my blood boil, I’ll never fly United Airlines,” Anh Trang Khuya wrote on Facebook, Vietnam’s most popular social media platform, according to Reuters.
United Airlines has insisted that the four passengers asked to leave the overbooked were chosen at random based on ticket class.
CEO apologises...
Chief executive Oscar Munoz issued a statement yesterday apologising for incident, saying “no one should ever be mistreated this way”.
“The truly horrific event that occurred on this flight has elicited many responses from all of us: outrage, anger, disappointment,” he said.
“I share all of those sentiments, and one above all: my deepest apologies for what happened.”
United CEO Oscar Munoz: I’m sorry. We will fix this. https://t.co/v8EPGsiDCi pic.twitter.com/eOPiYcagvo
— United (@united) 11 April 2017
His initial apology drew criticism after saying he was sorry for having to "reaccommodate" customers. It followed an email to staff where he called Dao "disruptive and belligerent".
The news serves as another blow to the company weeks after it was ridiculed for refusing to allow two teenage girls to board a flight because they were wearing leggings.
The airline said the girls were travelling on special pass for employees and guests, which has a strict dress code that does not allow “form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses".
Shares in parent company, United Continental Holdings Inc (NYSE:UAL), fell 0.65% to US$70.25 in morning trading in the US.