American United Airlines issues apology to Muslim woman Tahera Ahmad

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Thursday 04 Jun 2015 - 11:33 Makkah mean time-17-8-1436 (Google image)  Washington, (IINA) - American United Airlines have made an apology to a US Muslim woman after a flight attendant accused her by refusing to give her an unopened can of soda, according to media reports. The incident, happened when Tahera Ahmad was traveling on Friday from Chicago to Washington for a conference promoting dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian youths. She was wearing a headscarf. The interaction on a flight operated by United partner Shuttle America left Tahera Ahmad in tears. For hygienic reasons, Tahera asked for an unopened can of Diet Coke, she said. The flight attendant told her that she could not give her one but then handed an unopened can to a man seated nearby. Ahmad questioned the flight attendant, CNN reported. "We are unauthorized to give unopened cans to people because they may use it as a weapon on the plane," she recalled the flight attendant telling her. United spokesman Charles Hobart said that a flight attendant had tried several times to accommodate Ahmad's beverage request but that there was a "misunderstanding." United offered an apology to Ahmad on Wednesday. "Ms. Ahmad was our customer and we apologize to her for what occurred on the flight," United said in a press release. "After investigating this matter, United has ensured that the flight attendant, a Shuttle America employee, will no longer serve United customers." "There is policy and procedure for the beverage service, and there is no differentiation between opened and unopened cans," he said. "When a passenger requests a full can of soda, it must first be determined that enough quantity exists to provide beverage service throughout the cabin. I don't believe that was the case here, as the passenger was offered a full can of soda." When asked about the "weapon" comment, Birge said, "I am unaware of an aviation incident involving a can of soda that was ever used" in that manner. SM/IINA