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A hiccup on the runway, a delayed take-off and then a return to Paris, only to spend the night inside an immigration hall at the Charles de Gaulle airport. This is what 53 Indian passengers say they experienced on their way to Mumbai on an Air France flight. According to the passengers, the Airbus AF 218 took off from Paris on Sunday afternoon — the original departure was 10.15 am— due to a glitch. Again, in mid-flight, at about 8.30 pm, the pilot took the plane back to Paris, because of some vibrations in the Cargo hold area.
“First they aborted take-off after gaining speed on the runway. They said there was a problem with a switch,” said Naren Kachru (30), an IBM engineer who was on board AF 218. “We returned to Paris four hours after take-off,” said Vinita Sen Gupta who was on her way back from Boston with her family.
The passengers say the real ordeal started after the aircraft with 168 passengers and 12 cabin crew, landed in Paris. According to Sen Gupta, all passengers were taken to the airport’s E terminal and those with European, American or Canadian passports put on a bus and taken to nearby hotels but those without transit visas were made to wait inside the terminal by Air France staff who said they were trying to arrange transit visas through the local police. Half past midnight, they were told the police had refused the transit visas.
After being refused transit visas they were not able to even use the airport lounge. “There was another security check that did not allow us to carry water bottles,” said Vinita. Kachru said they had to raise a hue and cry for water.
At 4.30 am, the police finally agreed to give the passengers transit visas. “The visa was just a slip of paper with our names that could have been done in half an hour. I don’t understand why it took them all night to get it,” said Vinita.
“If there were 53 French or American or British nationals, would they have behaved in such a way,” said Vinita. “It is just that we Indians do not complain much that they treat us like this,” she added. “The food they talk about giving us was half a sandwich, that to cold, and a 200-ml water bottle. The choice was between Tuna and plain cheese,” said Kachru. The passengers were eventually allowed inside at 6.30 am but the return flight was at 10.15 so they didn’t get any time to rest.
An Air France statement stated: “Flight AF 218 left Charles de Gaulle airport at 12.45 on May 10 and returned at 20.06 on the May 10, as en-route, pilots noticed vibrations from the Cargo hold. Passengers with valid transit visa were put up at nearby hotels for the night. Air France staff mediated the issuance of visas (for remaining passengers), which turned out to be a time consuming process. All passengers were transferred to another Air France aircraft the next day, flight AF 218A that left Charles de Gaulle at 14.15 that reached Mumbai safely. Air France regrets any and all inconvenience caused to the passengers.”
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Yeah, they are the worst airlines I have ever travelled. Avoid, avoid, AVOID !!!
Air France is a miserable airline with poor service, a poor transit airport and racist staff. There are plenty o choices now to India incl Etihad, Emirates and Qatar. Avoid AF like the plague and they will go out of business since they make $$ on their India flights. If you are in a city not serve be Etihad, Emirates or Qatar, fly to one within the US. Avoid European transit and watch the airlines change their attitude.
had a similar experience in 2003, with Air France. I was boarding a flight from Newark to Mumbai
I was troubled to read in the print media that the Indians were treated badly in Air France flight and I think probably we deserve it. As corrupt politicians mar India, the citizens have no other option but to head to west for educations
It is high time, Air France or french people must realize the strength of us Indians and they should stop treating us like garbage. British Airways and other airlines famous for their Snobish nature have changed and realised the amount of business they get from our sector is huge, they just can't play around with us. I remember back in the 1980's they used to serve cold beef sandwitches to us Indians, now even they have well cooked indian Veg food and hindi speaking staff. Over the years other countries have changed their prespective towards us but not French.
This kind of treatment,if the statements are true, is a case of racial profiling .It is surprising why the Indian Government has not taken action through diplomatic channels.
Indians as a service providing country gives these people more business than any other country we pay higher $$ for such long distance travel ( i don't think there is no other country far from US TO INDIA, this is the longest distance perhaps) and we get this.I use prefer Air France but from now ON no way.....!
We had same experience with Air India flight in Sept 2006 on the same air port so I would not hold it only against Air france. We need to ask question, how well are we treated in India before we go out and ask others.
I always flew AF, but I refuse to - The flights not only are old, the airport in Paris is a mad house. Yes, we should try to help other nationals learn to respect us - one way is to BOYCOTT AF - the strategy seems dumb but when revenues decline the pinch will be felt!!!!! it's all about the money!!!
We are treated for what we are. We are a race without self respect. See what happened after terrorist attacks in our country. We did nothing, no retaliation. Things at Paris airport for Indians
What can you expect from a country which gave up without a fight when the Nazis started marching in their country. Racism and fascism is the cornerstone of their culture.Solution: BAN AIR FRANCE! Or at least stop using their services from now on! Their are in dire financial situation anyway. Even better, an Indian airline should buy it and fire the staff.. haha! If we Indians have any self respect left in us, we would stop traveling to France or any other Neo-Nazi country. We won't get respect until we command it. If that doesn't work, demand it! JAI HIND!
how can u say that all people i nairfrance are like that...stupid behavior ahappens everywhere even in our country...by the way france is not neonazi dont make fool of ur self
Air France is known for their classic panache of racism, the staff think that you are travelling for free and they are like you are nobody there. I have personally seen this, no other airport things like this happens, once I went through a similar ordeal at London British Airways accepted their fault and boarded me at a hotel near by to the airport. The thing is they could have been gracious and human, they preferred not to be. They have the nerve to say that they fed people with cold tuna and chesse,comeon you have be joking in this era where customers run the business. The DGCA and the Ministry of Aviation should demand an explanation for the inhuman treatement of passengers who gave them business, I think they do not need business from India anymore. I think we should detain a few french people and make them eat bread and butter for a few days.Krishnau -- We live in a global village; India is the biggest provider of services to the world and we need to travel to do business.
All Indians must BOYCOTT air france. They deserve it we are also people and one day we all show the world what we are and what we can do!!
All patriotic Indians Boycott Air france. Let them see less of indians on board. Write to them to take action on those responsible.
The tragedy is, so many Indians forgo their pride to work outside. I say, why? I am very sure that most of them can definitely get an adequate job in India. I chose pride over money, and I feel happy now.
Yes.boycotting the airline is the best option.their on-board service quality is way below standards practiced by other airlines.France wanting to promote its tourism in India won't succeed due to its hopeless administration
Krishanu - I want to put on record that most people traveling were Indian citizens, working in India and had traveled abroad for short duration work. I was traveling to Belgium for a one week conference. I am sad and disturbed at the way you have generalized the situation. It will be hard for you to understand the situation that your fellow countrymen underwent.