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Aurigny has told a whistleblower that it "values diversity and inclusion" after comments made by staff during a Teams meeting left them "shocked to (the) core".
The whistleblower emailed Aurigny's HR team last week to raise an internal complaint about the comments.
The comments were said to have been made by senior staff on 4 September and centred on passengers who use wheelchairs and need assistance while using the airport and travelling with Aurigny.
One member of staff was quoted as calling people who use wheelchairs "lame and lazy". She is also alleged to have said that "half of them don't even need it".
This same member of staff is accused of saying she was "horrified" over health and safety regulations stipulating a minimum criteria of one fit passenger for every one disabled passenger stating: "it's scary. I wouldn’t feel comfortable. What if there is a fire, what are you supposed to do with them?”
Another senior member of staff is said to have replied "leave em and let em burn”.
The whistleblower said that "all of those present heard this, with many laughing".
The whistleblower described themselves as being "in the unfortunate position of listening" to these "absolutely disgusting" comments and said what they heard had left them "shocked to my core".
Their complaint to Aurigny HR was shared with Express last week and in it, the whistleblower called for a "thorough investigation" and said they would be sending this complaint on to the Chairman.
Aurigny's HR has replied in the meantime confirming that the matter is being taken very seriously and it is being addressed in line with the airline's internal processes.
The whistleblower shared HR's response with Express this morning.
"We are committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment for all employees and are working to understand the full context of what occurred," Aurigny's HR team member replied.
The whistleblower has been offered the opportunity to discuss the matter further with Aurigny's HR in a confidential environment "to help provide further insight into the situation".
"Aurigny values diversity and inclusion, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of ability or background, are treated with respect and dignity," the reply closed.
In response to questions from Express, an Aurigny spokesperson said: “We have received an anonymous email making certain allegations.
"We have asked the sender for further information but have had no response. Notwithstanding this, we have already initiated an internal investigative process in accordance with our internal policies.
"This will consider the allegations and consider what action, if any, is appropriate. It is important in the interests of fairness to all that we be permitted the opportunity to undertake this process. While we are doing so, we will not be able to say anything further."
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