Originally Posted by
gemac
It seems to me at least possible that BA would deny these passengers boarding to MXP based on no onward tickets. If that happened, these passengers would be in the UK with no valid onward tickets, in violation of UK law. They could be deported. How would they be deported, without a valid ticket out of the UK? AA would be required to transport them back to the US gratis.
You are correct in that if one is deported, the carrier who brought them into the country is responsible for taking them back - but it is anything but 'gratis'. It is closer to a 'shakedown'. Basically, when immigration makes the decision to deport you, they call in a rep from the airline. Immigration then 'asks' the deportee to give their cc to the airline rep and the airline issues a ticket back - charging the cc. I have seen/dealt with several hundred deportees and have never seen one go back free.