Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) has opened a hotline for passengers on delayed Rossiya Airlines flight FV5882, which arrived from Cancun, Mexico, at Vnukovo Airport, RIA Novosti reports, citing the agency's press service.
Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in the state Quintana Roo consul Armina Volpert previously told RIA Novosti that the plane carrying hundreds of Russian tourists was unable to depart for their homeland due to Rossiya Airlines' debt to the Cancun airport. According to the consul, the charter flight passengers were deplaned after eight hours of waiting for their flight. As Volpert noted, the passengers appealed to the consulate and embassy for assistance.
A representative of Rossiya Airlines (part of the Aeroflot Group) told RIA Novosti that the Cancun airport denied departure clearance due to Mexican immigration controls, which required the deportation of four Armenian citizens on the flight. Their wait, along with further delays, led to the flight never taking off on January 16. The flight departed on January 17, 24 hours late.
"In connection with the arrival of delayed Rossiya Airlines flight FV5882 from Cancun, Mexico, at Vnukovo Airport on January 18, 2017, the Moscow Office of Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) has opened a hotline for arriving passengers to receive advisory and legal assistance, and an audible notification has been set up at the airport to alert passengers to the possibility of receiving consultations on passenger rights protection from Rospotrebnadzor specialists," the statement reads.
It is noted that, in connection with the arrival of this flight, Vnukovo Airport administration has allocated a separate jet bridge and a "green" corridor for priority passage through all types of security checks for the convenience of passengers. Border control has deployed additional passport control booths.
The Moscow sanitary and quarantine station of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) was reportedly reinforced with additional personnel to meet flight FV5882. A total of 504 passengers were met and their temperatures were checked remotely. No feverish patients were detected, no passengers complained of feeling unwell, and the first aid kit on board was not opened during the flight. Flight attendants provided a declaration stating that there were no sick passengers on board. Passengers were given contact information for further consultation and legal assistance, including the preparation of lawsuits to protect consumer rights, by specialists from the Moscow Rospotrebnadzor and the Skolkovo regional office.
According to the agency, Rospotrebnadzor specialists are currently providing advice to passengers on any issues that may arise. Two open initiative groups have been created on WhatsApp, bringing together passengers on the delayed flight to discuss consumer rights issues. Passengers on the delayed flight can contact the hotline for advice, either at the Moscow office of Rospotrebnadzor or directly at the Skolkovo regional office of the agency at Vnukovo Airport.
Source: trn-news.ru