Air India attendants held at Moscow airport for flying without valid visas

Three Air India flight attendants were detained at the Moscow airport after authorities caught them travelling without valid visas. The incident came to light on Saturday morning after the crew reached Domodedovo airport in Moscow after operating a six-hour long flight from Delhi.

Three Air India flight attendants were detained at the Moscow airport after authorities caught them travelling without valid visas.

The incident came to light on Saturday morning after the crew reached Domodedovo airport in Moscow after operating a six-hour long flight from Delhi.

"The visas were issued for a day later. As a result the airport authorities detained the crew and refused to let them exit the airport," said a senior Air India official requesting anonymity.

The Air India spokesperson did not respond to HT's calls.

Although it is the duty of the cabin crew to check documents soon after resuming duty the scheduling department is responsible for the goof up, senior cabin crew personnel said. "Normally it is assumed that the visa is applicable from the day the passport is delivered to us," said a senior AI official. Now the national carrier would have to sent three spare crew members as passengers as the detained trio is likely to be deported in the next AI flight out of Moscow, added officials.