MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Discrimination” claims against Lan Chile

One of Lan Chile's top officials was summoned this Monday to a Santiago court for the company's alleged involvement in a “physical discrimination” case presented by a passenger who last October 26 was impeded from taking a domestic flight to Santiago.

Journalist Roberto Cárcamo was grounded from the aircraft scheduled to fly from Iquique in the north of Chile to Santiago, because the pilot considered his right hand prosthesis presented a "security risk" for the passengers.

Mr. Cárcamo is claiming compensation from Lan Chile for the infringement of consumer rights and air transport and disabled persons legislation.

"Until today Lan Chile has taken no actions against those persons (pilot and co-pilot of flight 369) involved in these discriminatory practices and insists in downplaying and hiding facts, arguing that the crew exaggerated safety measures, when I actually complied with all air transport and the airline rules and regulations", said Mr. Carcamo.

"I demand respect for disabled people", added the journalist.

Since Lan Chile's Domestic Flights General Manager Pedro Pablo Errazuriz and the plaintiff didn't reach an agreement a new hearing with witnesses and evidence was summoned for January 5.

In an official statement the Chilean Consumers Association said it supported Mr. Carcamo claim adding it would be making a presentation against Lan Chile demanding the maximum fine be imposed given the seriousness of the incident and the company's attitude.