Report Aussie Women Get Green Light to Sue Qatar Airways for Airport Ordeal

[sungod]

9 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Let's follow your logic.  It is a criminal offence to engage in homosexual acts in Qatar. Aggressive sodomy with either another man or an object can result in rectal bleeding and irritation to the rectum. This manifests itself with some blood and mucous discharge. There can also be loose stools.  In the event that bloody discharge and mucous drippings are discovered on a toilet in the economy lav on a Qatar flight, then it is reasonable to require all male passengers to submit to a rectal search to determine if they  had recently been engaging in anal intercourse. Certainly you would not object to a strip search and having some arab man insert his fingers in your rectum to determine if you were penetrated? You would have no objections would you?

 

You seem to know a lot about being 'shafted'

 

Guess I'm just going to have to take your word on that. 

 

[Patong2021]

1 hour ago, sungod said:

 

You seem to know a lot about being 'shafted'

Guess I'm just going to have to take your word on that. 

 

Good. It makes it easier when you accept that I am more knowledgeable than you. Therefore, you should refrain ignorant and childish  attempts to disparage the victims of  assault. You believed it is acceptable for women to be strip searched on a whim and now you  know that it is not.

[mikeymike100]

15 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Doubt we have got the whole story or even half of it.  But I believe they were detained and searched by the DOHA Authorities (Police) in DOHA and they are suing in a DOHA Court (in absentia) - good luck with that. 

Incorrect, The case is now expected to proceed to trial in the Australian Federal Court, with the women’s lawyer, Damian Sturzaker, stating they are relieved and seeking compensation and accountability for their trauma. 

[CallumWK]

13 hours ago, vangrop said:

I understand they sue Matar, the operator of Hamad International Airport, But I don't understand why they sue Quatar Airways. Could anybody explain

 

They had paid for a flight with Qatar, and were forcibly removed from the plane after boarding.

 

That is my opinion only of course

[mikeymike100]

13 hours ago, vangrop said:

I understand they sue Matar, the operator of Hamad International Airport, But I don't understand why they sue Quatar Airways. Could anybody explain

Initially, in April 2024, Justice John Halley dismissed the case against Qatar Airways, ruling the incident occurred outside the aircraft and was not under the airline’s control, thus not covered by the Montreal Convention. However, on July 24, 2025, the Full Federal Court overturned this, finding that whether the incident fell within the scope of "embarking or disembarking" is a matter for trial. The court’s decision allows the women to pursue claims against Qatar Airways, arguing the airline’s responsibility for passenger safety during the flight process, even if the actions were carried out by state authorities. The lawsuit also targets Matar, the airport operator, for its potential role in the incident.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

9 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Incorrect, The case is now expected to proceed to trial in the Australian Federal Court, with the women’s lawyer, Damian Sturzaker, stating they are relieved and seeking compensation and accountability for their trauma. 

Sad to hear that - what a waste of time and money - and no doubt done for political reasons.  Qatar will rightly ignore the AFC who has no jurisdiction over what happens in Qatar. under Qatar Laws.  Imagine that - countries suing other countries for not complying with the laws of another country - totally ridiculous. 

 

Or are they suing the Australian operations of Qatar airways for what was done to them in DOHA by the Qatar authorities?   Exactly what could Qatar airways do to force the Qatar authorities to comply with Australian Laws.

 

Either way - the women will be criticised for making this political and seeking publicity - and it will end badly for the women who went through the ordeal. Those who will use this situation for their own political purposes will cause far more problems than they could solve - the women will pay the price. Sad.

 

[Ralf001]

15 hours ago, proton said:

 

Terrible airline, tried their Q business class a couple of years ago. Paid for reserved seat was cancelled, no refund, dispute went on for weeks. Seat did not work properly, one toilet out of order and no special meal, despite being ordered weeks before. Food they did have was some of the worst I have ever been offered, Never again.

 

Shoulda hung around the out of order toilet... am sure someone woulda given you a special meal.

[sungod]

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Good. It makes it easier when you accept that I am more knowledgeable than you. Therefore, you should refrain ignorant and childish  attempts to disparage the victims of  assault. You believed it is acceptable for women to be strip searched on a whim and now you  know that it is not.

 Didnt say that at all, get off your high horse and trot on..........

.

[pacovl46]

23 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

 

 

Oops! My bad! 

[vangrop]

9 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

nitially, in April 2024, Justice John Halley dismissed the case against Qatar Airways, ruling the incident occurred outside the aircraft and was not under the airline’s control, thus not covered by the Montreal Convention. However, on July 24, 2025, the Full Federal Court overturned this, finding that whether the incident fell within the scope of "embarking or disembarking" is a matter for trial. The court’s decision allows the women to pursue claims against Qatar Airways, arguing the airline’s responsibility for passenger safety during the flight process, even if the actions were carried out by state authorities. The lawsuit also targets Matar, the airport operator, for its potential role in the incident.

very clear, thanks for your reply

[Mr Meeseeks]

On 7/30/2025 at 1:45 PM, BarraMarra said:

Qatar Airways like to think there the Worlds top Airline but go against them and you find out how they deal with people who say things about them. Ask Josh Cahill ( Airline Vlogger )  he has been banned from flying Qatar Airways because he posted bad service on a flight.

 

They are the World's best airline IMO.

[mrwebb8825]

On 7/29/2025 at 4:45 PM, webfact said:

While the case against Qatar's aviation regulator was dismissed due to immunity from foreign prosecution,

Well Heck, there's your problem. 

[Sheryl]

On 7/30/2025 at 6:50 AM, pacovl46 said:

How the hell is a strip-search gonna help to identify the mother?! 

They were looking for physical signs of having recently delivered a baby. Easily determined with brief exam.

 

Had they gone about it more delicately and respectfully, explaining the situation , asking for consent, conducting the exams gently with plenty of privacy (and fully clothed except for removal of panties, with plenty of drapes etc, and kind reassuring female nurse/doctor), would have been nowhere near as traumatic. But sounds like they were rough and brutal in manner, not unusual among police in that part of the world.

 

Another option is they could have just gotten mouth swabs for DNA, would take time but would ultimately prove if any of them were the mother.

 

Could have given the female patients the option of either (1) a gyn exam to immediately clear them  and let them go on their way OR (2) DNA cheek swab and have to wait a few days for results before continuing their journey.

 

Had it all been done politely with tact and sensitivity, both the law enforcement  needs and the rights and dignity of the women could have been met. 

 

Not sure how much (if anything) the airline could have done about this,though,  as it was a police action. 

 

Hopefully the respective ambassadors lodged a complaint with the Qatari government. 

[daveAustin]

Disgraceful barbaric behaviour. I hope the authorities get shafted. Don’t know why people fly any airline that goes through that Mickey Mouse space. They treat people, women especially, like garbage if they get a red flag or  perceive a slight on their dubious cultures. The recent Kuwait Airways 1st Class review where guy got threatened by steward and captain. Yuck. Would sooner pay extra and fly right over the whole darn region. 

[mikeymike100]

21 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Sad to hear that - what a waste of time and money - and no doubt done for political reasons.  Qatar will rightly ignore the AFC who has no jurisdiction over what happens in Qatar. under Qatar Laws.  Imagine that - countries suing other countries for not complying with the laws of another country - totally ridiculous. 

 

Or are they suing the Australian operations of Qatar airways for what was done to them in DOHA by the Qatar authorities?   Exactly what could Qatar airways do to force the Qatar authorities to comply with Australian Laws.

 

Either way - the women will be criticised for making this political and seeking publicity - and it will end badly for the women who went through the ordeal. Those who will use this situation for their own political purposes will cause far more problems than they could solve - the women will pay the price. Sad.

 

Qatar Airways cannot simply ignore the Australian Federal Court's (AFC) ruling, as it is a legally binding decision within Australia’s jurisdiction, where the airline operates and has assets.

The Full Federal Court’s ruling on July 24, 2025, overturned a prior dismissal, allowing the five Australian women to sue Qatar Airways and Matar, the operator of Hamad International Airport, for the 2020 incident involving non-consensual examinations.

The court found that the applicability of the Montreal Convention—specifically whether the incident occurred during "embarking or disembarking"—requires a full trial to determine, and Qatar Airways was ordered to pay the appeal costs.Ignoring the ruling could lead to serious consequences, including:

Qatar Airways could face court-ordered damages, injunctions, or other remedies if found liable at trial. Non-compliance might result in enforcement actions, such as asset seizures or fines in Australia.

Defying the court could further harm Qatar Airways’ reputation, especially in Australia, a key market where it has recently expanded through a 25% stake in Virgin Australia.

The Australian government has previously blocked Qatar Airways’ expansion plans, partly citing the 2020 incident. Ignoring the court could prompt further regulatory scrutiny or restrictions on its operations.

International.

As a signatory to the Montreal Convention, Qatar is bound by its principles, which allow lawsuits in the passenger’s home jurisdiction (Australia in this case). Ignoring the AFC could complicate Qatar Airways’ compliance with international aviation law.

However, Qatar Airways could explore legal avenues to challenge the ruling, such as appealing to Australia’s High Court, though no indication of this has been reported. Alternatively, they might seek a settlement to avoid a trial, as the women’s lawyer, Damian Sturzaker, has noted their openness to resolution outside court. Ignoring the ruling outright, however, is not a practical option given the legal, financial, and reputational risks in Australia and globally.

[Mr Meeseeks]

3 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Disgraceful barbaric behaviour. I hope the authorities get shafted. Don’t know why people fly any airline that goes through that Mickey Mouse space. They treat people, women especially, like garbage if they get a red flag or  perceive a slight on their dubious cultures. The recent Kuwait Airways 1st Class review where guy got threatened by steward and captain. Yuck. Would sooner pay extra and fly right over the whole darn region. 

 

Qatar is a fantastic country and Doha is an incredible city.

 

What they have managed to build there is remarkable. A clean, efficient, relatively cheap cost-of-living city which would be the envy of any Western country with its spectacular buildings, public transport networks and infrastructure.

 

There's no crime there either.

 

The airport is the best in the World. Some will argue Changi is better, but a regular traveller like me that does lounges and airport things there's none better. Qatar Airways bus class is better than any other bus product I have flown on in the last few years. Miles ahead of Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines, British Airways and Finnair. And I mean miles ahead and in a different league. 

 

 

[FritsSikkink]

On 7/30/2025 at 2:58 PM, Cameroni said:

 

Yes, that's why they pursue legal action against Qatar Airways, like terriers. The principle of it. Nothing to do with the truck loads of cash they hope to get, I'm sure.

 

You realise if Qatar Airways has to shell out on a big judgement, this will make flights more expensive for all of us?

That would be nice, the women getting a deserved payday and you partly paying for it.

[Lacessit]

On 7/30/2025 at 2:58 PM, Cameroni said:

 

Yes, that's why they pursue legal action against Qatar Airways, like terriers. The principle of it. Nothing to do with the truck loads of cash they hope to get, I'm sure.

 

You realise if Qatar Airways has to shell out on a big judgement, this will make flights more expensive for all of us?

Why shouldn't they get a truckload of cash for the stress and humiliation they endured with a non-consensual search? If you did that to a Muslim woman, they wouldn't want cash. They would want someone's head on a platter.

 

Corporations sometimes need to be reminded their powers are limited. Ask Fox News.

 

If Qatar Airways increased their fares to compensate for their poor judgment, other airlines would simply say thank you very much.

[Cameroni]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Why shouldn't they get a truckload of cash for the stress and humiliation they endured with a non-consensual search? If you did that to a Muslim woman, they wouldn't want cash. They would want someone's head on a platter.

 

Corporations sometimes need to be reminded their powers are limited. Ask Fox News.

 

If Qatar Airways increased their fares to compensate for their poor judgment, other airlines would simply say thank you very much.

 

Admittedly it was a strange thing to happen, but nobody in their right mind could argue a fingering could warrant millions of Dollars in compensation, which is what these women are seeking. Even if someone loses a leg the compensation is modest.

 

The harm these women suffered was minimal and fleeting.

 

I don't think a company like Qatar Airways should shell out millions in compensation for things like this, after all it will be us, the consumer, who will buy tickets again, that will pay for it. 

 

I didn't finger them. I don't want to pay for it.

[Lacessit]

11 hours ago, Sheryl said:

They were looking for physical signs of having recently delivered a baby. Easily determined with brief exam.

 

Had they gone about it more delicately and respectfully, explaining the situation , asking for consent, conducting the exams gently with plenty of privacy (and fully clothed except for removal of panties, with plenty of drapes etc, and kind reassuring female nurse/doctor), would have been nowhere near as traumatic. But sounds like they were rough and brutal in manner, not unusual among police in that part of the world.

 

Another option is they could have just gotten mouth swabs for DNA, would take time but would ultimately prove if any of them were the mother.

 

Could have given the female patients the option of either (1) a gyn exam to immediately clear them  and let them go on their way OR (2) DNA cheek swab and have to wait a few days for results before continuing their journey.

 

Had it all been done politely with tact and sensitivity, both the law enforcement  needs and the rights and dignity of the women could have been met. 

 

Not sure how much (if anything) the airline could have done about this,though,  as it was a police action. 

 

Hopefully the respective ambassadors lodged a complaint with the Qatari government. 

Australia lodged protests via diplomatic channels. It received an apology, and assurances those responsible would be held accountable.

 

Qatar had plans for expansion in Australia. The Australian government controls allocations of air routes to airlines.

 

I guess that's a double whammy, with customers deserting them.

[Lacessit]

4 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Admittedly it was a strange thing to happen, but nobody in their right mind could argue a fingering could warrant millions of Dollars in compensation, which is what these women are seeking. Even if someone loses a leg the compensation is modest.

 

The harm these women suffered was minimal and fleeting.

 

I don't think a company like Qatar Airways should shell out millions in compensation for things like this, after all it will be us, the consumer, who will buy tickets again, that will pay for it. 

 

I didn't finger them. I don't want to pay for it.

IIRC E Jean Carroll was awarded $87 million in damages for defamation against Trump. after he claimed he had never met her, and never fingered her.

 

The judge called him a rapist.

 

Non-consensual fingering is rape.

 

One of your more idiotic posts, and it says a lot about your values, or lack of them.

 

But then, what would you expect from a lawyer? Scum of the earth.

[Cameroni]

19 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Non-consensual fingering is rape.

 

Not in Qatar. Where the incident happened. Even in the US in some states that's not the case.

 

20 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

IRC E Jean Carroll was awarded $87 million in damages for defamation against Trump. after he claimed he had never met her, and never fingered her.

 

Her case is still subjec to appeal and litigation, it has not come to a conclusion yet.

 

23 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

and it says a lot about your values

 

Indeed. In law, only real harm should lead to real sanctions. That's my iron-clad value.

 

 

 

 

[Photoguy21]

On 7/30/2025 at 1:45 PM, BarraMarra said:

Qatar Airways like to think there the Worlds top Airline but go against them and you find out how they deal with people who say things about them. Ask Josh Cahill ( Airline Vlogger )  he has been banned from flying Qatar Airways because he posted bad service on a flight.

If you want bad service try British Airways.

[GroveHillWanderer]

On 7/30/2025 at 7:06 PM, CallumWK said:

I would think that a doctor can see if a lady recently has given birth, and without knowing the details, I presume that ladies involved were pregnant.

 

Doesn't sound like it, based on the reports about it at the time. Here's just one example.

 

Quote

All adult women on the Qatar Airways flight were required to disembark to be body-searched

 

Australia seeks Qatar response after female passengers strip-searched

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54682565

[proton]

17 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

They are the World's best airline IMO.

 

They are one of the worst, in my experience, Emirates is far better

[proton]

4 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

Qatar is a fantastic country and Doha is an incredible city.

 

What they have managed to build there is remarkable. A clean, efficient, relatively cheap cost-of-living city which would be the envy of any Western country with its spectacular buildings, public transport networks and infrastructure.

 

There's no crime there either.

 

The airport is the best in the World. Some will argue Changi is better, but a regular traveller like me that does lounges and airport things there's none better. Qatar Airways bus class is better than any other bus product I have flown on in the last few years. Miles ahead of Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines, British Airways and Finnair. And I mean miles ahead and in a different league. 

 

 

 

They host Al Jazzera and it's well known Qatar fund terrorists like Hamas whose leaders live in luxury there.

[Peabody]

On 7/30/2025 at 7:04 PM, DezLez said:

A so called "opening of a Pandora's box" has nothing to do with this if it is a legitimate case!

I don't think any of them were named "Pandora".

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, proton said:

 

They are one of the worst, in my experience, Emirates is far better

 

I fly Qatar at least once a month both bus and econ. Occasionally first when I go to Abu Dhabi, or I'm on the older 777s or A380s.

 

You have flown once and had a single bad experience with them?

 

Emirates bus class is good, but I rate Qatar Q-Suites and their new business class on the 787s better. The layout of the old Emirates bus class means some seats don't have direct access to the aisle. Downside to Qatar is there is quite a lot of variation in their business class so  you have to know what you are booking on what aircraft. 

 

Emirates don't have many codeshare options so having status on Qatar automatically gets you status with other OneWorld airlines.

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, proton said:

They host Al Jazzera and it's well known Qatar fund terrorists like Hamas whose leaders live in luxury there.

 

There are daily protests showing support for Hamas and a Palestinian state in the UK. The PM just announced his intention to recognise the Palestinian State. Should I not fly BA either?

[proton]

1 minute ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

I fly Qatar at least once a month both bus and econ. Occasionally first when I go to Abu Dhabi, or I'm on the older 777s or A380s.

 

You have flown once and had a single bad experience with them?

 

Emirates bus class is good, but I rate Qatar Q-Suites and their new business class on the 787s better. The layout of the old Emirates bus class means some seats don't have direct access to the aisle. Downside to Qatar is there is quite a lot of variation in their business class so  you have to know what you are booking on what aircraft. 

 

Emirates don't have many codeshare options so having status on Qatar automatically gets you status with other OneWorld airlines.

 

Q class is <deleted>e, the only airline ever not to have an ordered special meal, no refund on a paid for reserved seat, one I got did not work properly, and one toilet not working. Added to that forcing everyone on the loading bridge in 45 degree heat to wait for over 30 minutes while they got the plane ready, Ryan air is better than those tossers