AER LINGUS has suspended language testing of Greek citizens travelling with it as a result of the controversy surrounding the imposition of such a test on a Greek woman living in Ireland since 1998.
It said it was reviewing its procedures in the light of the incident and had apologised to the woman involved, Dr Chryssa Dislis, for any distress caused.
Its statement added: “The UK Border Agency issued an instruction stating that there has been a rapid increase in the number of forged and counterfeit Greek (and other nations) ID cards and passports travelling from Spain and Portugal. They outlined a number of recommendations, including the carrying out of language tests.”
Asked why a requirement of the UK Border Agency applied to the policy of Aer Lingus on flights to Ireland, a spokeswoman for Aer Lingus said: “The UK and Ireland co-operate on immigration and border control matters as the two countries make up the common travel area.”
The Greek ambassador has written to the Department of Transport about the matter, enclosing a copy of the letter she wrote to Aer Lingus about the incident, which took place last January.
In her letter to the airline on Tuesday last, the ambassador, Constantina Zagorianou-Prifti said a Greek citizen “was confronted by your staff in Barcelona with unjustified and unfounded suspiciousness and hostility” and expressed the embassy’s “utmost concern and disappointment”.