National Desk, 26th December: An Airbus A340 carrying 303 Indian passengers finally landed in Mumbai, concluding an unexpected layover in France. The aircraft, originally en route from Dubai to Nicaragua, was detained at Vatry airport near Paris due to suspicions of human trafficking triggered by an anonymous tip-off to French authorities.
Operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines, the flight underwent extensive investigation by French police and judicial authorities. Passengers faced significant delays and uncertainty during the ordeal, with identity checks and interrogations conducted as part of the human trafficking probe.
Legend Airlines vehemently denied any wrongdoing, expressing willingness to cooperate with French authorities and indicating readiness for legal action if charges were brought against the company.
The Indian Embassy in France played a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of passengers and facilitating their departure. With the plane’s release authorized by French prosecutors, the embassy expressed gratitude for the swift resolution of the incident.
The detention shed light on the increasing trend of ‘dunki’ flights used by individuals attempting illegal entry into countries like the U.S. or Canada, with a notable rise in such attempts by Indians recorded in fiscal year 2023. The return of the grounded aircraft to India emphasizes the complexities of international travel regulations and efforts to combat human trafficking.
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