Five cabin crew members of Air India were forced to stay overnight at Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland after failing to carry a vital document, the Crew Member Certificate (CMC), which is required for visa-free entry for flight crew members. The crew had arrived at Zurich for their layover, but upon processing their entry, authorities discovered they were missing the necessary travel documents, including the CMC.
According to a statement provided by the Zurich Cantonal Police Communications Division to Indian journalist Aneesh Phadnis, the crew members were found to be without the essential documentation during the airport’s entry procedures. As a result, they were not permitted to enter Switzerland, and instead were required to stay overnight at a transit hotel located within the airport.
The issue was resolved without legal consequences, with the police confirming that no criminal charges would be pursued against the Air India crew members involved. The statement issued by the police, through R. Hirt, made it clear that the incident was due to an administrative oversight rather than any intentional wrongdoing.
This event highlights the critical importance of ensuring that all flight crew members carry the proper documents when entering foreign countries, especially in regions with stringent entry requirements. While the situation caused significant inconvenience for the affected crew, the airline and the authorities were able to address the matter without escalating it further.
