Asylum Airlines

by Willy Volk Mar 16th 2007 @ 9:57AM

In 2000, roughly 400,000 asylum seekers applied for asylum in the EU. Of course, many of those people were refused asylum and were deported.

Currently, commercial airlines fly deportees back home. However, deporting people is unpleasant for everyone involved. Not only is it expensive for governments to deport people, it's intimidating for "normal" passengers to see chained deportees surrounded by armed security on their flight. As a result, many commercial airlines have stopped taking asylum seekers.

Seeing a need, therefore, two businessmen are planning to launch a new airline devoted specifically for failed asylum seekers. So-called Asylum Airlines will provide meals, guards, medical staff, and a representative of a human rights group on each flight. They'll even provide padded rooms for the unruly.

Essentially, the planes will fly around Europe, pick up failed asylum seekers, and return them to their homes. According to one of the businessmen, "With a professional service the deportations will be faster, chains will not be needed and the deportees can enjoy a meal." Amusingly, the men claim they haven't made plans for inflight entertainment or a frequent-flyer scheme.

This is probably one airline you don't want to test, so be certain to double-check the information on Priceline before hitting that "purchase" button!

[Via Mobissimo; Photo: Java Cafe]

Filed under: Business, Airlines

Add your comments

Your comments:

Remember me

E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Featured Stories

Featured Galleries

Cockpit Chronicles: LAX 'View from the office'

	Brooke Shields has body issues, too Hear no evil, see no evil, eat no evil Obesity affects asthma
4 Stroke Jeans and rock'n'roll royalty eBay WTF of the Day: Anachrontastic parachuting corset Victoria Beckham doesn't care what you think	An ice cream cone that will light up the room Bacon maple donuts: Sugar, shame, and an orgy of deliciousness Cocktail Hour: The Wet Spot
Steve McQueen Wins Gucci Group Award for 2008 Gucci's Pricey 'Crocodile Pelham Shopper,' Handbag of the Day Glam Rock Miami Python Watch	Computer recycling, under the radar Green Daily Weekly Roundup Fallout Boy: Eco-tips and unfunny outtakes for DoSomething.org

Gadling

Asylum Airlines