Flight crew photocopying visas

[Adelle]

A few months ago my husband and I were boarding a flight in Ethiopia bound for London. The flight crew (not immigration officers or police) were taking all the passports with UK visas away to photocopy. It seemed a little odd as it was done at the gate to the plane and in a very unprofessional manner.

Is this normal? Or should I be concerned and report this to the UKBA?

Thanks for your advice.

[Lucapooka]

It's not abnormal or illegal. This is a matter of Carrier's Liability. They are protecting themselves from hefty fines by keeping records that show everyone they permitted to board their aircraft on a UK bound flight had a valid visa to enter the UK or was not a visa national.

[sureshep]

Very True.

I experienced the same issue with Emirates when I was initially coming to London via Dubai.



Regards,
Suresh

It's not abnormal or illegal. This is a matter of Carrier's Liability. They are protecting themselves from hefty fines by keeping records that show everyone they permitted to board their aircraft on a UK bound flight had a valid visa to enter the UK or was not a visa national.

[Adelle]

Thanks for the advice. I'd never seen this done before and was worried it was to make copies to sell.
Cheers

[mulderpf]

It's because people have before got on the plane with either valid passports / visas and got rid of their passports while on the plane and then claim asylum in the UK. Airlines then get fined heavily and the UK then can't return the passenger.