Virgin Australia Says Sorry to Disability Advocate Ejected from Flight Due to Wheelchair Motor

Virgin Australia has issued an apology to a

Virgin Australia has issued an apology to a disability advocate who claims he was subjected to embarrassment when he was escorted off a plane because of the motor on his wheelchair.

The airline reached out to Shane Hryhorec by phone on Wednesday afternoon to express regret, following the widespread circulation of a video he posted online. The footage, which captures his interaction with flight crew, was recorded during a journey from Sydney and has since amassed over 16 million views.

In the video, Hryhorec, who resides in Adelaide, can be seen engaging with airline staff who requested he leave the aircraft. He described the experience as deeply humiliating, stating that he felt targeted due to his disability.

The apology comes two days after the incident

The apology comes two days after the incident, which has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of passengers with disabilities in air travel. Many social media users have rallied behind Hryhorec, calling for better training and sensitivity from airline personnel.

Virgin Australia has not yet commented publicly on the specific details of the incident beyond confirming the apology, but the company has stated it is reviewing its procedures to prevent similar situations in the future. Hryhorec, for his part, hopes the attention will lead to meaningful changes in how airlines accommodate and respect disabled travelers.