SWISS confirms that passenger Nikolai Alekseev was booked on flight LX 1337 of 15 September but did not board the flight. According to the information available to us, Mr. Alekseev was detained at the airport security checkpoint because of his non-compliance with the security provisions in force at Russian airports. As the airline on which Mr. Alekseev was booked to travel, SWISS and its personnel at Moscow Airport were only informed that Mr. Alekseev would be unable to board the flight. An airport’s security provisions are a sovereign matter for the relevant state and its national authorities, and are beyond an airline’s influence.
—Swiss International Air Lines, responding in a statement to leading Russian activist’s claims (and protests) the airline colluded with state officials to illegally kidnap and detain him.
Mike
That makes sense.
Airlines have no control over airport security.
That’s done by the country’s authorities – in the US as well as Russia.
If a passenger is detained by security, it’s not the airline’s responsibility. I presume the Russian authorities didn’t have to give Swissair a reason for detaining Alekseev
jason
Frankly, I don’t trust the Swiss. A friend of mine from Switzerland reckons it’s a very homophobic country.
paulcanning
LGBT Asylum News and Peter Tatchell are organising a protest letter to Swiss Air by by **public figures and representatives of organisations** with 10 Oct deadline. If you can sign or want a copy to forward please message or email [email protected]