In a shocking incident at Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland, five cabin crew members from Air India (AI) found themselves in an unexpected and stressful situation. The crew members failed to carry the mandatory Crew Member Certificate (CMC). This certificate is an important document required for visa-free entry of flight crews into certain countries. This document is issued under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations to ensure smooth travel without a visa.
Air India Crew Held Back At Zurich Airport
Five Air India (AI) cabin crew members at Zurich Airport (ZRH) failed to carry a valid Crew Member Certificate (CMC). The crew had landed in Zurich on two separate flights over the past week. Four of them did not have a CMC, while one carried an invalid certificate.
According to Aviation A2Z, Zurich Airport allowed crew members to obtain the CMC on arrival for 10 euros until recently. However, a rule change on February 5 implied that all crew members now had to carry this document in advance. Unfortunately, Air India’s crew either missed this update or was not provided with the necessary documents before departure. Without valid documentation, the authorities had no choice but to deny them entry into the country.
Rescue Efforts By Air India
Fortunately, Air India’s local representatives in Zurich stepped in to resolve the situation quickly. They secured the crew’s release and arranged accommodation at a transit hotel. However, according to the latest reports from Aviation A2Z, the crew was finally cleared to leave after close to two days in Zurich,
This incident serves as a reminder of how tough aviation laws can be and how even small errors can have major repercussions. While Air India has not issued an official statement, this incident highlights the need for all airlines to double-check entry requirements for their crew.
This case is a reminder for airlines to keep up with evolving regulations. In international aviation, a single missing document can bring an entire operation to a halt.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons and Air India/X
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