Air France Passengers Allege Racial Discrimination at Paris Airport

Over 50 Indian passengers flying Air France faced alleged racial discrimination and poor treatment at Paris airport after a technical snag forced their aircraft to make an emergency landing. The passengers claimed they were not provided with sufficient food and water while waiting for 28 hours in a lounge, and were eventually "huddled out" of the airport on a group visa. The incident has sparked accusations of racial profiling against Air France, with some passengers stating that they were threatened with being handed over to the police if they continued to protest.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incident involved over 50 Indian passengers flying Air France from Boston to Mumbai with a stopover at Paris.
  • The Airbus A332 aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Paris due to a technical snag detected over the Black Sea.
  • Passengers alleged that they were ill-treated and not provided with enough facilities at Paris Airport, spending 28 hours in a lounge from 1000 hours on Sunday till 0700 hours the next morning.
  • Passengers claimed that they were "huddled out" of the airport on a "group visa" and taken to a hotel.
  • Passengers accused Air France of racial profiling, stating that other foreigners on the flight were treated more favorably.
  • One passenger, Vineeta Sengupta, stated that she was forced to lie down on the floor where immigration takes place due to lack of facilities.
  • Another passenger stated that Air France officials threatened to hand them over to the police if they did not stop protesting.

Statistics:

  • 53 to 54 Indian passengers were allegedly "huddled out" of the airport on a "group visa".
  • The passengers spent 28 hours in a lounge at Paris Airport.
  • The incident involved an Airbus A332 aircraft flying from Boston to Mumbai with a stopover at Paris.

Sources:

  • United News of India
  • HT Syndication
  • Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company