Some Quebec ‘party flight’ influencers return home from Cancun: reports
Posted January 6, 2022 11:41 am.
Last Updated January 7, 2022 11:28 am.
Some of the Quebec influencers who were aboard the now infamous chartered party flight from Montreal to Mexico last Thursday have now returned to Montreal.
Videos of the Dec. 30 flight shared on social media show passengers not wearing masks as they gather in close proximity, singing and dancing in the aisle and on seats.
In one video, a large bottle of vodka appears to be passed among passengers, and later a woman appears to be smoking an electronic cigarette.
According to TVA Nouvelles, about 15 people managed to take an air Canada flight back from Cancun. They arrived in Montreal late Wednesday night.
Reports say at least one of the passengers was met and escorted by border agents soon after arriving at Trudeau International Airport. Other passengers were also questioned by authorities onsite and refused to speak to journalists on location.
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Airlines like Air Canada, Air Transat, And Sunwing – the carrier of the Dec. 30 Montreal-Mexico flight – all said they were banning the disruptive passengers from their flights.
James William Awad, who operates 111 Private Club, the group that organized the flight, said in a statement Thursday that he took several steps to ensure the safety of all individuals involved. Awad said those steps included chartering a private aircraft, taking private transportation, and having COVID-19 tests done before departing Canada.
Awad said he also met with Sunwing Thursday morning to work towards getting the entire group back home. Sunwing allegedly imposed a list of conditions that needed to be met, including that Awad pay for a security manager and three security guards to assist them on the flight back to Canada.
Other restrictions reportedly imposed by Sunwing: properly wearing facemasks at all times, no in-flight meal, proof of valid PCR tests, all carry-on items (including phones) stored in the plane’s hold, no alcohol, and no standing in the plane’s aisle.
“I agreed to every demand, including multiple In-Flight Guardians, I assured them every measure would be followed, but we couldn’t conclude an agreement because Sunwing refused to Provide Meals to the group for a 5h flight,” Awad wrote in his statement online.
“They cancelled our flight based on presumptions, and thus others companies followed their steps.
“At this time, the 111 private club is working tirelessly to get everyone back home safely as quickly as we can. The 111 private club is a dream and a vision that I poured my heart and soul into creating. This was my first travel event. I have significantly learned, and I am still learning from this experience. Learning from them is what makes the difference.”
On Wednesday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the party plane a “slap in the face” to everyone who has been following public health restrictions. In French, he referred to the passengers as “idiots” and “barbarians.”
Trudeau said Transport Canada would investigate the incident and follow up.
The federal government says it’s in contact with Sunwing regarding the flight. If it finds non-compliance with regulations, passengers could be fined up to $5,000.
WATCH: Instagram video of party flight from Montreal to Cancun (Credit: IG/111 Private Club)
