Aviation and Airlines (Commonwealth Union) _ Air Canada has removed a pilot, First Officer Mostafa Ezzo, from service after he posted disturbing content on his social media accounts, including images in his Air Canada uniform. The posts, which included profane comments and disturbing pictures, triggered public backlash. Ezzo’s Instagram story showed him wearing Palestinian colors over his Air Canada uniform and holding signs with anti-Israel messages. One sign read, “Israel Hitler is proud of you,” and another depicted a person dropping the Israeli flag into a trash can with the caption, “Keep the world clean.” The pilot’s social media accounts were deleted after the news broke.
Passengers expressed concerns, sharing screenshots of the posts with the official Air Canada handle tagged. In response, Air Canada confirmed that Ezzo had been taken out of service on November 9th. The airline emphasized that the pilot’s opinions and publications on social media did not represent Air Canada’s views, and he was not authorized to speak publicly on behalf of the airline. Air Canada denounced violence in all forms and stated that the matter was taken very seriously.
The Airline Pilots Association Canada, which includes Air Canada’s pilots, also condemned any promotion of violence and hatred among its members. They emphasized the expectation that all members abide by the principle of condemning violence and follow the professional code of ethics. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Air Canada, like many other airlines, has suspended flights to Tel Aviv.
The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, confirmed that the Canadian Armed Forces are coordinating flights to repatriate Canadian citizens and residents from Israel. This includes making arrangements for those who cannot reach Tel Aviv, reflecting the broader efforts to address the challenges faced by individuals in the region.
