PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Afriqiyah Airways all expat pilots grounded ???
Old 22nd Mar 2010, 06:28
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Boeing 777-300ER
 
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Visas

The problem is due to the dispute between Libya and Switzerland. Switzerland banned entry visas to 180 Libyan nationals including the President and his family.

As Switzerland is part of Schengen, even though the are not part of the EU, no EU country or countries forming part of Schengen can issue visas to these 180 Libyan nationals.

Libya retaliated by not issuing any visas to any EU nationals or nationals forming part of Schengen except those having a residence visa. So if people leave Libya they can't return back.

The EU are not happy with Switzerland's stand on this as they have hijacked the EU even though they are not part of it. Most probably very shortly individual EU will issue these nationals with specific visas allowing them entry into their own country making this rule void. So the problem will soon be resolved
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