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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.
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