Spanish airline Vueling has apologised after a group of Jewish passengers were ordered off a flight from Barcelona to Ibiza due to alleged "security concerns." The incident, which occurred on a domestic Spanish flight, has drawn widespread criticism and accusations of discrimination.
According to reports, the passengers were asked to disembark after another traveller raised concerns about their behaviour. Witnesses claim the group was targeted solely because they were visibly Jewish, wearing traditional attire and speaking Hebrew.
Vueling stated in a press release that the decision was made "in strict adherence to security protocols" but acknowledged the situation could have been handled differently. The airline has promised a full investigation into the matter.
The incident has sparked outrage among Jewish communities and civil rights organisations, with many drawing parallels to similar cases of alleged discrimination against religious minorities in air travel.
French authorities have become involved as several of the affected passengers were French nationals. The French embassy in Spain is reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
This controversy comes at a sensitive time for the aviation industry, which has faced repeated accusations of racial and religious profiling in security procedures.
