BA crew are robbed in Brazil after arguing about ‘rip-off’ taxi fare and getting out of
BA crew are robbed in Brazil after arguing about ‘rip-off’ taxi fare and getting out of their cab in the middle of a tough neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro
- Crew were dropped in Rio’s Penha neighbourhood, found in the city’s North Zone
- They were robbed within minutes as they waited for another cab, reports say
A British Airways flight heading for London was delayed for a day after its crew were robbed in Rio de Janeiro, according to local reports.
The incident happened minutes after the members of the crew climbed out of a taxi early after getting into an argument with the driver over the fare.
By leaving the taxi early, they were dropped off on the side of a road in Rio’s Penha neighbourhood, found in the sprawling city’s North Zone, known for turf wars.
The terrified crew had been on an overnight stay in the city and were heading back to their lodgings in Copacabana before they were due to operate a flight home to Britain the next day, according to local media.
The police said the off-duty group had abandoned the taxi after rowing over the fare in the early hours of the morning on 5th September.
A British Airways flight (file photo) heading for London was delayed for a day after its crew were robbed in Rio de Janeiro, according to local reports
Rio’s North Zone is the site of frequent and violent clashes between police and drug trafficking gangs fighting for territorial control. Pictured: Rio de Janeiro’s Military Police in Penha, 2023
But within minutes of getting out of the cab to hail a ride-share car, they were reportedly robbed.
The crew had been waiting for another cab on the street in Penha, a tough neighbourhood miles from their hotel in Copacabana.
Penha is the location of a sprawling favela,
Rio’s North Zone is the site of frequent and violent clashes between police and drug trafficking gangs fighting for territorial control.
Drug trafficking gangs have historically controlled the territory, but clashes with the police have resulted in civilian deaths.
The robbery reportedly caused the 9.50pm flight BA-248 heading for Heathrow Airport the next day (6th September) to be postponed. The flight was set to depart from the Tom Jobim International Airport, Galeão, in the North Zone.
The case was reported to the 27th Police Station (Vicente de Carvalho) and forwarded to the Special Tourism Support Police Station (Deat).
The police said that the victims had already given statements.
The postponed flight was rescheduled for 7th September at 10:15 pm.
The investigation is ongoing, and the staff have returned to the UK.
By leaving the taxi early, they were dropped off on the side of a road in Rio’s Penha neighbourhood (pictured), found in the sprawling city’s North Zone, known for turf wars
The terrified crew had been on an overnight stay in the city and were heading back to their lodgings in Copacabana (pictured, file photo) before they were due to operate a flight home to Britain the next day, according to local media
British Airways told MailOnline: ‘This is a police matter and we’re providing our colleagues with support.’
The robbery is not the first time a British Airways crew has been robbed in Rio.
In 2016, it was reported that a crew member for the airline was robbed at gunpoint in the city as his group also returned to their hotel.
In response to the incident, BA said it would start advising its staff to use taxis when travelling around the Brazilian capital, and said they should remain ‘vigilant’.