Expatica: Netherlands and KLM in showdown with US

Expatica"Netherlands and KLM in showdown with US

Dutch airline KLM has demanded the US explain how it gained insight into passenger details of a flight US authorities turned back from its airspace despite the fact it was not scheduled to land on American territory. The flight with 278 passengers left Schiphol on Friday and was approaching Canada when the pilot was informed that US authorities had refused the plane permission to enter US airspace.

The pilot was told two of the passengers were considered to be a risk, apparently due to terrorism fears. Landing and refueling for a diverted flight to Mexico was not possible, forcing the plane to turn back to Schiphol.

The two passengers who were on the US 'no-fly list' were not arrested at Schiphol and were flown via England back to Saudi Arabia, their land of origin, where they were not refused entry either. Neither British nor Dutch authorities decided to detain them. A Dutch politicians suggested that the Dutch Government should immediately ask the US Ambassador for clarification and added: - This is what we can expect to happen on a more frequent basis if we vote against the EU Constitution and can not have one voice against this US arrogance."