Foreign
Air India cabin crew forced to stay overnight at Zurich Airport, Switzerland
Air India’s local staff intervened, eventually securing their clearance and arranging their stay at a transit hotel.
ZURICH- Five Air India (AI) cabin crew members were forced to stay at Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland for not carrying a valid Crew Member Certificate (CMC), a document required for visa-free entry of flight crew.
According to the statement provided by Zurich Cantonal Police Communications Division to Indian journalist, Aneesh Phadnis, crew members were found without proper documentation upon arrival.
During entry processing, authorities discovered the crew members lacked essential travel documents, including crew member certificates. As a result, the affected personnel were required to stay overnight at a transit hotel facility. The police statement, issued by R. Hirt, confirms that no criminal charges will be pursued against the crew members involved in this documentation oversight.
Air India Crew Forced to Stay at Zurich Airport
The confinement occurred because the Air India (AI) cabin crew members failed to carry the mandatory Crew Member Certificate (CMC), an identification document issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that allows the flight crew to travel without a visa.
According to sources, the affected crew arrived in Zurich on two separate flights within the past seven days. Four of them lacked a CMC, while one carried an invalid certificate.
Until February 5, Zurich Airport allowed crew members to obtain a CMC on arrival for 10 Euros, but now it must be carried in advance. The rule changes caused all this confusion and following this, they were not allowed to leave the airport premises.
Air India’s local staff intervened, eventually securing their clearance and arranging their stay at a transit hotel.
According to Aviation A2Z’s exclusive sources, the crew stayed at Zurich Airport for close to two days.
The incident highlights the critical role of regulatory compliance in international aviation, similar to a 2023 case where a European airline’s crew faced detainment in Canada due to incomplete documentation.
Airlines must ensure all crew members carry valid documents to prevent legal and operational issues.
While Air India has not publicly commented on potential policy changes following the incident, this situation serves as a reminder for airlines to stay updated with entry requirements in all destinations.
A Crew Member Certificate (CMC) is an official document issued under ICAO regulations, enabling airline pilots and cabin crew to enter certain countries without a visa. It serves as proof of their status and ensures seamless travel.
The recent rule change at Zurich Airport underscores the importance of airline compliance with evolving regulations to prevent operational disruptions.
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