NRW's First Independent Deportation Flight Costs €63,000 for Aircraft Alone
The February deportation of seven refugees to Bulgaria under the Dublin Agreement highlights financial, logistical, and ethical debates over deportation practices.
- North Rhine-Westphalia conducted its first independent deportation flight on February 11, 2025, sending seven refugees to Sofia, Bulgaria.
- The flight cost €63,000 for the chartered aircraft, with additional expenses such as personnel, insurance, and landing fees yet to be disclosed.
- The deportation was carried out under the Dublin Agreement, which mandates returning refugees to the first EU country where they were registered.
- This operation marked a policy shift allowing German federal states to organize charter flights independently, introduced in November 2024.
- The case underscores Bulgaria's role as a key destination for deportations and raises questions about the efficiency, cost, and ethics of such practices.