Thalerhof Airport
Graz, Austria

Surinder Rai (UK) - March 28, 2018
I have been travelling to Graz from Birmingham on regular basis since May 2017 as I am an employee of Jaguar Land Rover and we are using the Magna Steyr plant to produce our cars. I am a Sikh and wear a turban, and on my last visit to Graz on my way back on 23/03/2018 I was asked by the customs / security check in teams to remove my turban. I kept explaining to the guy involved that I am not allowed to take my turban off and on my previous visits a hand held scanner had been used and a swab taken. But this time the police was called and I was threatened that I would be thrown out if I do not remove the turban which I refused. After asking to speak to Airport Manager I managed to explain the issue and order was restored and hand held scanner was used and swab taken and after all clear was allowed to carry on. I am due more visits and do not want to get involved in this sort of issue again.