Gambians
travelling to other European countries can no longer transit in Spain without
Spanish transit visa.
The
Spanish authorities have started to implement a law, effective 1st June 2017,
under which Gambians bound for European countries like the UK must have a
transit visa if they are to transit in Spain or otherwise risk being sent back
to The Gambia even with a valid British visa.
Musa
Baldeh, a retired airline manager, advised that any Gambian travelling from The
Gambia to any country via Spain should acquire a transit visa.
“It
is now a requirement and the general public must be made aware before booking
or buying their flight tickets,” he said.
“Otherwise, one will lose both their money and will be sent back to The
Gambia.”
Mr
Baldeh said his wife and daughter, en route to the UK on 8 July 2017, were to
have a transit at Barcelona Airport and upon their arrival at the Spanish
airport, they were held by Spanish authorities who told them they could not
stop at the airport without a transit visa.
“My
family was detained for two days at the airport before being told that they
were going to be sent back to The Gambia,” he said.
“Immediately
I was informed of the situation, I contacted the former ambassador of The
Gambia to Spain who came to the aid of my family by explaining to the Spanish
authorities that Gambians are unaware of the transit visa requirement. It was
then after 48 hours at the airport that they were allowed to board a connecting
flight to the UK.
“To
avoid such embarrassment, Gambians travelling through Spain should try to
acquire transit before travelling to Spanish airports.”
The
retired airline manager called on the government of Adama Barrow to find common
grounds with the Spanish government to settle the predicament.
