The Guide for return operations by air coordinated or organised by Frontex collects best practices and sets applicable standards for effective implementation of return operations. The Guide features comprehensive operational guidelines in order to standardise procedures and to streamline the organisation of return operations by air with the assistance of Frontex.
In its General part, the Guide details guiding principles applicable in all return operations, highlighting aspects such as the respect for fundamental rights, the treatment of vulnerable persons, forced return monitoring and the complaints mechanism. In the second part the document details updated recommendations for joint return operations, while also including operational guidance regarding new types of operations such as collecting return operations, Frontex organised return operations, and returns by scheduled flights, as well as voluntary returns.
This document has been made publicly available in accordance with Articles 10(2) and 114(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896. The criteria for publication are specified in Executive Director Decision No R-ED-2024-114 on the procedure for the publication on the Public Register of Documents.
