This Russian airline allegedly forced Asian-Americans to fly back to India because of their skin colour

Five Asian-American passengers were travelling from Delhi to the US by Russia's flag carrier, Aeroflot.

The passengers, however, were left stranded during a stopover in Moscow, when their connecting flight to JFK International Airport, in New York, was cancelled due to heavy snow.

The incident took place on January 7.

The airline reportedly told the Asian-American passengers there were no seats available on alternative flights. They also refused to provide them any accommodation in Moscow, reported Independent.

Instead, the airline allegedly asked them to either fly back to Delhi or they would forcibly be deported to India. According to the racial discrimination complaint that was filed by these passengers, it all happened because of their skin colour.

Also Read: Did this airline really ask a woman to deboard because of period pains?

The Asian Americans were further denied transit visas, which, as per Russian law, meant they could neither leave Sheremetyevo Airport, in Kimki, Russia, nor remain in the country for more than 24 hours.

The complaint further read, ''Although the officer on duty at the embassy [US Embassy] repeatedly asked to speak with Aeroflot to correct the situation, Aeroflot employees refused to speak with him, instead reiterating their threat that the passengers would be deported and that if they did not return to India, Aeroflot would 'make matters worse' for them - including through criminal deportation and heavy fines.''

Eventually, the five passengers boarded a flight to India, ''fearing for their safety and feeling that they had no other choice after Aeroflot's repeated threats,'' as mentioned in the complaint.

One of the passengers, Anshul Agarwal, took to social media to share his experience.

After reaching Delhi, the passengers were informed that no Aeroflot flights to New York were available for more than a week. They had to ultimately spend lots of money on booking one-way flights to Washington DC through Qatar Airways.