• A sudden shortage in security screening staff halts the boarding of 192 passengers
• Marrakesh flight departs without passengers amid compensation dispute

A rare incident occurred at Vatry Airport in France after a flight bound for Marrakesh took off without any passengers on board, following a sudden shortage in security personnel that prevented 192 travelers from boarding at the scheduled time.

According to airport management, the absence of security screening staff—who work for a contracted company—was due to unexpected sick leave, leaving no team available to carry out mandatory pre-boarding checks.

The administration explained that check-in procedures had proceeded normally, but passengers were unable to reach the boarding gate because security screening was not completed, effectively halting the flight’s operation despite it remaining on schedule.

Airport director Fabrice Bouquet told local media that the crisis was unforeseen and that it was not possible to arrange alternatives in time to prevent it, leading the aircraft to depart on schedule without passengers.

All stranded passengers remained at the airport without traveling, with several stating they have not yet received compensation and are still awaiting official clarification days after the incident.

Responsibility has been disputed between the parties involved. The airport management said compensation matters fall under the airline’s responsibility, while the airline argued the incident was beyond its control and does not qualify for compensation cases such as strikes, weather disruptions, or exceptional circumstances.

Some passengers, however, disputed the airline’s interpretation, saying the incident was not a strike but an operational failure, which should be treated differently.

Such cases in the European Union fall under air passenger rights rules, which provide compensation for cancellations, delays, or denied boarding. However, their application typically depends on passengers reaching the boarding gate stage—something that did not occur in this case, as they were stopped at security screening.