A BRITISH Airways steward was grounded after repeatedly claiming he’d lost his passport between flights in sunkissed destinations.
Zain Ali was accused of deliberately misplacing his travel documents so he was unable to work on return flights – and got to sunbathe by the pool.
A source said: “It was a genius plan really, but unfortunately Zain tried it once too often. He was rumbled.
“It’s perhaps understandable for this to happen once, but not on repeated occasions – and certainly not when those occasions coincide with BA’s most exotic, sunny resort outposts.
“Zain was missing return flights to the UK while officials organised replacement travel documents.
“He got to hang out by the swimming pool in nice hotels while the admin was sorted, often taking several days. It was putting unfair pressure on his colleagues, who had to try and make up for him on packed work trips home.”
The young steward’s time was up at BA when after a search of his luggage, he was accused of stashing wine inside.
He was shown the door, with bosses citing a series of “poor performances” – namely being repeatedly “stranded” in 30C temperatures claiming his passport was lost.
BA bosses have been exasperated after a series of staff lapses.
The Sun on Sunday can reveal a stewardess was arrested at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam before a flight and found to be over the alcohol limit.
A manager had to fly out to Holland and bring her home. She was immediately suspended, now sacked.
Another flying colleague was suspended over claims over his performance on flights – including an “appalling” attitude towards customers.
He has been grounded while bosses fully investigate.
And suspended BA stewardess Leah Gordon, who accused Blue star Lee Ryan of abusing her, has suddenly quit the airline.
She was grounded after a flight to Malaga when business class passengers questioned her professionalism.
We told how colleagues were also alarmed over how she interacted with customers on other flights.
Leah was at the centre of a race row over an incident on a BA flight that led to singer Ryan, 41, being convicted last year.
And sources said she was the focus of an investigation after becoming “frustrated” with passengers when they had pressed the assistance button above their seats.
A pilot was said to have been among BA staff worried about Leah’s alleged “shoddy performance”.
The hostess was also said to be in trouble for posting suggestive videos online of herself in her BA uniform.
We told how veteran Captain Martin Vennard was axed after alcohol was smelled on his breath when he turned up for critical training in a flight simulator.
British Airways told us yesterday: “We set and expect the highest standards from our colleagues and take necessary action on the rare occasions they’re not met.
