Rights groups urge airlines to halt ‘one in, one out’ deportation flights

The Guardian World

by Diane Taylor

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Rights groups have called on airlines such as Air France, Titan Airways, AlbaStar, and Corendon Airlines to cease their involvement in a controversial UK deportation program known as the "one in, one out" scheme. This initiative allows the UK to deport asylum seekers to France, with France subsequently taking responsibility for those individuals. However, activists argue that this practice represents "cruel and forced deportations," urging airlines to halt their participation in what they describe as a morally questionable process. In letters sent by 28 refugee and human rights NGOs from both the UK and France, campaigners highlight the ethical concerns surrounding these flights. The scheme has drawn criticism for its impact on vulnerable individuals seeking asylum, particularly those fleeing persecution and danger. Advocacy groups emphasize that airlines facilitating such deportations are complicit in a system that violates human rights principles. This issue is significant globally as it raises questions about the treatment of refugees and the responsibilities of both governments and private companies in migration policies. The controversy underscores broader debates about forced migration, human rights, and the role of international cooperation in addressing asylum claims. Activists argue that airlines should not be involved in what they view as a coercive policy, calling for an end to their involvement in these deportations.

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/19/2026