Five Air India cabin crew members were recently detained at Zurich Airport after they were found to be lacking an authorised crew member certificate, a document that acts as a substitute for a visa for flight crew. This incident occurred when the crew arrived in Zurich, only to face unexpected delays due to missing this crucial certification. Sources from within the airline revealed that the crew members were confined to a tiny detainee cell at the airport for an unspecified period. During this time, they were reportedly allowed to leave the cell only to use the restroom and were not permitted to use their mobile phones, which added to the distress of the situation.
The confinement of the crew members, according to these sources, was a harrowing experience as they had to endure significant discomfort and uncertainty while waiting for the situation to be resolved. It was only after local airline staff intervened that the crew members were given assistance, allowing for their transfer to a transit hotel. This move helped to alleviate the immediate distress, and at least four of the crew members are still in Zurich as of the latest updates from Air India.
Air India’s official sources confirmed the situation and clarified that the crew members were eventually moved to the transit hotel after being detained. While the airline did not specify how long the crew members were kept in the detainee cell, the incident has raised concerns regarding the documentation and clearance procedures for flight crews traveling internationally.
The airline has since emphasized the importance of ensuring that crew members carry the necessary documentation, such as the authorised crew member certificate, to avoid similar situations in the future. This incident highlights the challenges faced by international airlines and the complexities of managing crew travel across multiple jurisdictions.
As the airline investigates the matter, it is expected that Air India will review and possibly enhance its internal protocols to ensure that all crew members are properly equipped with the necessary travel documents before embarking on international flights. This episode has brought attention to the often-overlooked yet critical nature of crew documentation when flying across borders, underscoring the importance of careful preparation in international aviation operations.