Airlines

Qatar Airways Sued Over Alleged Forced Vaginal Examinations

Five Australian women who were allegedly forced to undergo “vaginal exams”

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Five Australian women who were allegedly forced to undergo “vaginal exams” under pressure in the tiny Gulf island nation have chosen to sue Qatar Airways and the Qatari government. According to reports, the event happened at the airport in Doha two years ago.

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The women are now suing Qatar Airways and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority for unlawful physical contact, mental trauma, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Government of Qatar owns Qatar Airways, according to a Huffington Post investigation.

The incident happened in October 2020 as the female complainants were travelling to Sydney on a Qatar Airways flight. The complainants claim that when a baby was discovered abandoned in the airport bathroom, they were made to off the aircraft and subjected to invasive gynecological tests.

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A 33-year-old plaintiff, a nurse, told the New York Times that the encounter fundamentally altered her as a person and that she hasn’t traveled since. It appears they are not sorry for the incident and have simply moved on, while we are still scarred by what happened that day, the woman stated.

Qatari authorities apologized for the incident following the controversy. Authorities also detained the airport official who had directed the above “searches.” Finally, he was taken into custody and handed a term with suspension.

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.