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yesterday

Second UK–France Deportation Flight Leaves Without Migrants as Court Halts a Removal

Late legal challenges have stalled the UK–France pilot that relies on booked seats on commercial Air France services.

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A general view of the Royal Courts of Justice, more commonly known as the High Court, in London, Britain November 2, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
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Overview

  • An Air France service from Heathrow to Paris on Tuesday departed without any deportees after a similar outcome on Monday.
  • An Eritrean man due to be removed on Wednesday won interim relief in the High Court, temporarily blocking his transfer to France.
  • The Home Office has reserved seats on multiple flights this week and says the first returns are imminent, while refusing an operational running commentary.
  • Charities and lawyers, including JCWI and Auberge des Migrants, mounted campaigns and late legal actions, with migrants reported to receive about five days’ notice enabling challenges.
  • The swap pilot returns small‑boat arrivals to France in exchange for pre‑vetted refugees entering the UK; only about 100–155 people have been detained so far versus more than 30,000 Channel arrivals this year, and French officials have described the deal as experimental.