Some six crew members of the British Airways on Thursday complained they were exhausted and could not fly after prostitutes and pimps kept them awake at their New York hotel. The airliner had to cancel a flight scheduled to travel from New York to London.

The stewards and stewardesses involved told their employer they were lodged at a hotel that attracts prostitutes. As a result, they felt unsafe and could not sleep all through the night. Others complained their doors would not lock, and pimps attempted to get into the rooms.

The crew members claimed they were forced to erect barricades which they kept watch over in shifts. When the crew reported to the British Airways, it was initially sympathetic but later frowned at the incident, setting up a commission to probe into it.

A company spokeswoman said, "We held an initial safety inquiry and found that fatigue did not appear to be an issue." Adding that, "Nine other crew stayed at the same hotel and all reported fit and well for work the next day. An investigation is continuing to find out all the facts."