By In a recent legal decision handed down by Australia‘s Federal Court, a verdict was reached to dismiss a lawsuit initiated by five Australian women against Qatar Airways in relation to a forced strip-search incident at Doha International Airport (DOH) in 2020. The court’s determination was based on the finding that the case failed to meet the stipulated criteria outlined in international airline liability protocols.
Federal Court Justice John Halley, who delivered the ruling on April 10, 2024, declined the case, citing that the search had been conducted by personnel from the Qatar Ministry of Interior (MOI), rather than by individuals in the employ of the airline. Additionally, Halley noted that the incident did not take place on board a Qatar Airways aircraft.
In his comprehensive judgment, Halley articulated, “The assertion that Qatar Airways could influence the actions of the MOI officers conducting the police operation or the nurse in the ambulance can reasonably be characterized as ‘fanciful, trifling, implausible, improbable, tenuous, or one that is contradicted by all the available documents or other materials’.”
Furthermore, Halley ruled that the plaintiffs must bear the legal costs incurred by Qatar Airways, although he proposed that they amend their claim to seek compensation from the airport operator.
The incident in question transpired on October 2, 2020, when flight QR908, slated for departure from DOH Airport, experienced a three-hour delay due to the discovery of an abandoned newborn in a terminal restroom. Subsequently, 18 women on the flight, including 13 Australian nationals, were directed to disembark without explanation. Allegations emerged that they were subsequently subjected to an intrusive strip search without their consent, which prompted widespread global condemnation.
Despite the court’s definitive ruling, the incident has ignited significant apprehensions surrounding passenger rights and the responsibilities of airlines and airport authorities in safeguarding the well-being and dignity of travelers. The dismissal of the case underscores the complex interplay of legal jurisdiction and accountability within the realm of incidents occurring within international airport environments.
Source: Al Jazeera News
