EUR-Lex Access to European Union law
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Return of illegal immigrants to their countries: joint flights
SUMMARY OF:
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS DECISION?
It sets out the procedures when two or more EU countries cooperate to deport illegal immigrants by air from the EU.
KEY POINTS
These cover issues such as check-in, security and the use of coercive measures*.
FROM WHEN DOES THIS DECISION APPLY?
It has applied since 7 August 2004.
BACKGROUND
Between 400,000 and 500,000 foreign nationals are ordered to leave the EU every year because they have entered, or are staying, illegally. Only 40 % are sent back home or to the country from which they entered the EU. Ensuring the return of illegal immigrants is essential to guarantee the credibility of legal migration.
For more information, see:
* KEY TERMS
coercive measures: these may be used on people who refuse or resist removal; they must be proportional and must not exceed reasonable force or compromise the person’s ability to breathe.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Council Decision 2004/573/EC of 29 April 2004 on the organisation of joint flights for removals from the territory of two or more Member States of third-country nationals who are subjects of individual removal orders (OJ L 261, 6.8.2004, pp. 28-35)
RELATED ACTS
Council Directive 2003/110/EC of 25 November 2003 on assistance in cases of transit for the purposes of removal by air (OJ L 321, 6.12.2003, pp. 26-31)
Council Directive 2001/40/EC of 28 May 2001 on the mutual recognition of decisions on the expulsion of third-country nationals (OJ L 149, 2.6.2001, pp. 34-36)
last update 29.07.2016