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Kuwait Airways scraps New York-London flights amid discrimination row
Wednesday, 17 Dec, 2015
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Rather than adhere to a US ultimatum to sell tickets to Israeli passengers, Kuwait Airways is scrapping its New York JFK flights to London.
The Department of Transportation had threatened legal action against the carrier earlier this year.
A DOT statement demanded the airline ‘cease and desist from refusing to transport Israeli citizens between the US and any third country where they are allowed to disembark.’
The airline insists its hands are tied because Kuwaiti law bans citizens and business entities from entering ‘into an agreement, personally or indirectly, with entities or persons residing in Israel, or with Israeli citizenship.’
A Kuwait Airways had said ‘the policy isn’t discriminatory because it will sell tickets to passengers regardless of race, national origin or religion – so long as they hold a passport valid in Kuwait.’
Kuwait Airways had filed a counter lawsuit against the DOT which is still open and could yet go to court.
The US threat of legal action does not affect the carrier’s direct Kuwait City-New York JFK flight which it operates three times a week,
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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