World renowned violinist Janusz Wawrowski was not allowed to take his £4 million instrument as hand luggage on a plane.
Mr Wawrowski feared the Stradivarius would be damaged in the hold.
Polish airline LOT told the musician he could not take the 338-year-old violin into the cabin unless he bought another ticket.
Mr Wawrowski said:
“I was quite shocked at first.
“I even hoped for a moment that maybe it was a grim joke, because the airport was empty and not many people were travelling that day, so I completely did not expect such problems.
“When it turned out that indeed the airport staff would not allow me on board with my violin, I was devastated.
“I tried to negotiate with the staff for the legal right that I was actually entitled to, but unfortunately it was not possible.
“I began to look for alternative ways to get home.
“Fortunately, Lithuania is a neighbouring country to Poland, and I could take a bus.
“LOT acknowledged the employee’s mistake and said that it is allowing violins on board all of its planes and also apologised to me in the media and by letter, on email, as well as by phone.
“I received a refund for the additional costs incurred, as well as a refund for the ticket.
“Importantly, LOT has also changed standardised information on its website as to what luggage we can bring and in musical instruments and in cabin baggage.
“What else is very important, LOT has promised to issue information to all its employees and associates around the world [about] how we carry the instruments in question.
“Including, of course, violins in the cabin.
“Thank you [LOT], for that.
“Also, something more will come out of this.
“We will do a campaign together with LOT on how, where and what instruments we carry on the plane.”
