Women Allowed to Sue Qatar Airways After Allegations of Invasive Searches

Five women from Australia have gained the right to take legal action against Qatar Airways following reports of being subjected to invasive searches nearly five years ago. This ruling was issued by three Australian appeal judges on Thursday.

The women allege that they underwent intrusive examinations to ascertain whether their newborn had recently been delivered after being taken from a flight at Doha’s Hamad Airport in October 2020.

After being removed from a flight to Sydney by armed authorities, some of the women contend they had to remove their underwear and were forcibly examined by a nurse in an ambulance on the tarmac.

“Our clients went through a traumatic experience that night in Doha,” said Damian Starzaker, the attorney representing the women, highlighting their desire for justice and compensation.

Previously, a Federal Court Judge, John Halley, had dismissed the claims against Qatar Airways, ruling that they lacked a reasonable chance of success. The case also involves airport operators Matar and Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority, the latter of which was determined to have foreign state immunity under Australian law.

Thursday’s ruling allows the women to continue seeking damages for mental health issues they claim resulted from what they describe as illegal and unwanted physical contact, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The judges acknowledged that the complexity of the claims, specifically in relation to the Montreal Convention, indicates that this matter requires further exploration rather than premature dismissal.

As of now, Qatar Airways has not commented on the ongoing investigation.