Civil rights group the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has issued a travel advisory asking African-American passengers not to travel on flights operated by American Airlines.

The advisory has been issued in response to a series of recent incidents involving racial bias by American Airlines’ personnel.

In a statement, NAACP said: “The NAACP, for several months now, has been monitoring a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines.

“In light of these confrontations, we have today taken the action of issuing national advisory alerting travellers, especially African-Americans, to exercise caution, in that booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions.”

“We have reached out to the NAACP and are eager to meet with them to listen to their issues and concerns.”

The organisation highlighted four incidents where African-American passengers were treated unfairly.

In response to NAACP’s travel advisory, American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker said: “We were disappointed to learn of a travel advisory issued by the NAACP regarding American Airlines.

“We do not and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We have reached out to the NAACP and are eager to meet with them to listen to their issues and concerns.”

Along with American Eagle, American Airlines offers 6,700 daily flights to nearly 350 destinations and serves more than 500,000 customers worldwide.

Effective from 24 October, the travel advisory will be in force until further notice.