NEW YORK—The following statement was posted on Aero Mexico’s website after it received numerous complaints regarding profiling Waris Ahluwalia due to his turban –
In connection with the case registered this morning at the Mexico City International Airport, and has been reported by various media, Aeromexico renews its commitment to carry all passengers without distinction in their religious, social or gender condition.
However the airline is required to meet federal safety requirements determined by the Air Transport Authority of the United States (TSA) for review of selected passengers traveling to the United States.
The airline regrets any inconvenience any passenger could be charged for the application of these procedures.
Waris Ahluwalia, a famous Hollywood actor, was barred from flying on the Aero Mexico’s flight to New York because of his turban. After he posted about the incident on Instagram and Twitter, he received much support internationally. The hashtag #StandWithWaris has been used extensively since morning on Twitter and other social media networks in his support.
Commenting on the profiling incident at Mexico City airport, Sona Simran Kaur Rai from SALDEF confirmed that TSA screeners can ask Sikhs to remove their turbans if the alarm goes off during pat down, however, she confirmed that a private area must be provided for additional checks.
“Waris asked for a private screening area and they refused,” she tweeted.
