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Tag: Air France

All the latest breaking news on Air France. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Air France.

  • Pressure Mounts For Air France As “Gay” Petition Hits Nearly 25,000

    Pressure Mounts For Air France As “Gay” Petition Hits Nearly 25,000

    The pressure is rising for Air France as a petition asking the airline to allow flight attendants who identify as gay to refuse travel to Iran reaches nearly 25,000 signatures.

    Air France
    CREDIT: Air France

    A petition which is calling on Air France to allow its openly gay flight crews to refuse travel on a route to Iran is gathering momentum and has had over 24,000 signatures added to it.

    Air France is due to recommence flights to Tehran in Iran which has left many of its gay flight attendants fearing for their lives and questioning what might happen to them after landing.

     

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    Mr. Laurent who created the petition called upon Air France/KLM to reconsider its ethical stance on sending gay flight attendants to Iran

    “It is time again to show that Air France believes in ethics, not only for his public image. [But to] grant gay crew the right to refuse to go to a country where they could be killed for who they are.”

     

    ALSO READ: We ask the EU Airlines that fly to Iran what their policy for safe guarding LGBT staff members

    ALSO READ: Where in the world has the death penalty for being gay

     

    TheGayUK reached out to Air France’s press team yesterday to ask whether they would acknowledge the petition and whether they will allow those who identify as gay to opt out of flights to Iran. They have yet to respond.

  • Airlines That Fly To Iran

    There are a number of airlines that fly out of the UK and connect in Iran.

    Austrian Airlines
    CREDIT: © Austrian Airlines Group

    Using Skyscanner.net we were able to find airlines based in the European Union which fly to Iran. We have reached out to each of the airlines to find out what their policy is on gay flight attendants who fly to Iran and whether LGBT crew can opt out of flying to a country which could potentially execute them because of their sexuality.

    Air France has come under increasing pressure after a petition calling on the airline to check its ethics surrounding gay air crew went viral.

    There are a number of countries in the world that outlaw homosexuality and at least 10 of which have the death penalty for homosexual acts.

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    The airlines which will be flying to Iran from May include: Air France, Alitalia, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines

    Austrian Airlines 8967212827_01be0cda81_h
    Austrian Airlines

     

    A spokesman for Austrian Airlines said,

    All our crew members are informed about local traditions and laws. Furthermore, we of course do not know about private details like sexuality of our crew members. If a crew member does not want to fly to a certain destination because of reasonable personal reasons, this will be considered within his roster.

    Compared to Air France, Austrian flights to Iran are very popular among our crews, there are no complaints regarding headscarves or the like.

     

    Air France, Alitalia and Lufthansa have yet to respond to our request.

     

  • Gay Flight Attendants Worried About Facing Death Penalty In Iran

    Gay Flight Attendants Worried About Facing Death Penalty In Iran

    Gay Air France flight attendants are concerned over flying into Iran after the airline reinstated flights to the country.

    CREDIT: AirFrance
    CREDIT: AirFrance

    Air France is due to recommence flights to Tehran in Iran which has left many of its gay flight attendants fearing for their lives and what might happen to them after landing.

    A petition has been created by a concerned employee of France’s largest airline who called for the airline to re-look at its ethics.

    The petition has reached over 13,000 signatures.

    Mr. Laurent who created the petition called upon Air France/KLM to reconsider its ethical stance on sending gay flight attendants to Iran

    “It is time again to show that Air France believes in ethics, not only for his public image. [But to] grant gay crew the right to refuse to go to a country where they could be killed for who they are.”

     

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    Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and those found guilty can face 74 lashes or the death penalty.

    In 2008 Air France suspended flights to Iran. The airline is resuming the service after international sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme were lifted.

    Speaking about Air France’s decision to resume flights to Iran,  Mr. Laurent commented,

    “If the economic decision to open flights to Tehran is understandable, the moral issue is different. Human Rights in this country are almost non-existent.”

    Air France has already said it will allow female flight attendants the right to refuse travel to Iran. The petition is asking the company to consider the same option for those who identify as openly gay.

     

    ALSO READ: Where In The World Is Homosexuality Punishable By The Death Penalty

     

    Mr Laurent continued,

    “Fortunately, the unions intervened, the feminist cause is often seen, the media seized the debate, the hostess got (which would have seemed logical from the start) the right to refuse travel.”

    TheGayUK reached out to Air France for comment, the airline has yet to comment on the petition or answer questions about the safety of LGBT staff members.