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Benin: Information on airport security procedure and on whether an individual not departing on an international flight may be allowed to board an aircraft to accompany a passenger to his/her seat and leave the aircraft before departure

According to a representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Bénin in Ottawa, the Republic of Bénin abides by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security rules and regulations which forbid access of non-passengers to any aircraft departing to any international destination (4 Mar. 1994). The representative further indicated that protocol agents of the Department of Foreign Affairs and security agents of the Office of the President who accompany government officials to the aircraft are equipped with passes that allow them to avoid the usual security checks giving access to the terminal's security zone (ibid.). The representative stated also that these agents and the people they escort are required to submit themselves to a security check in the special guests' lounge (ibid.).

According to one representative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in Montréal, Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention relating to international civil aviation stipulates that non-passengers are not allowed to board any aircraft about to depart for an international destination (10 Mar. 1994).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Embassy of the Republic of Bénin, Ottawa. 10 March 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

International Air Transport Association (IATA), Montréal. 10 March 1994. ICAO statement.

Topics: Airports,