Advertisement:

Turkish airlines made the headlines this week for a more unusual reason. As newspapers around the world reported, “Swedish student stops deportation”, many casual readers were surprised to see just how this unfolded. Her moves were seen as heroic by some, annoying by others. But will more of these protests become common in the future?

With a wavering voice and obviously fearful at hearing the attacks and animosity behind her, a young Swedish woman can be seen talking to her camera. Elin Ersson, a 21-year-old social work student had decided to take action on behalf of a deportee.

On her flight from Gothenburg to Turkey on Monday morning, an Afghan man was also seated. And while many of his fellow passengers were headed to business meetings or on holiday, he was being deported to Afghanistan after failing to secure asylum. By refusing to take her seat until he was removed from the plane, she delayed the takeoff. Turkish Airlines, new owners of the A321neo, then took the decision to remove the man from the flight.

Being deported is a daily fact for thousands of people worldwide.

However, in Sweden, deportations to Afghanistan were halted in January after the country was considered too dangerous. But with elections looming this year many believe the government wants to appear harder on immigration. These controversial removals have begun once more.

The Swedish student flight ticket was bought in the knowledge that the deportee, with whom she was acquainted, was on the flight. And this really brings the message home

While many people finding a deportee for a row-mate would feel strong emotions, it’s safe to say few would act. However, Ersson not only made her protest bravely but also planned it. The Swedish student flight ticket was bought in the knowledge that the deportee, with whom she was acquainted, was on the flight. And this really brings the message home. We are all living, studying and working with people from all over the world. The lines between resident, tourist, citizen, migrant and illegal alien are blurring.

This is a subject that isn’t a subject until we face it.

Advertisement:

But it is one Virgin Atlantic has faced. In July 2018, the big name flyer informed the UK Home Office that it would no longer accept deportee bookings. This came off the back of the Windrush Scandal, namely people who had lived over 50 years in the UK were being deported.

Many airlines are reconsidering their policies, both in terms of deportations and protesters

While we don’t know for sure if Virgin’s decision was a humanitarian or a business one, we can see from the event with Turkish Airlines the possible issues. Virgin, who offer a new Upper-Class model must be keen to avoid disruptions. Commentators are positive, more people will decide to stand up and delay flights in the future, as this action becomes a movement.

With this in mind, many airlines are reconsidering their policies, both in terms of deportations and protesters. But this is not just an issue with the European carriers. US carriers must also consider their approach. Calling airport security may not be the solution.

Advertisement:

When Dr. Dao was dragged off a United flight in 2017, their stockpile took a hit. The undisclosed settlement was thought to be in the hundreds of thousands. But the after-hit was worse. United, who have recently ordered 29 new planes, now pays passengers $10,000 to give up their seats to an employee. But how they would treat a protester has yet to be seen.