Federal Labor Court: Airline Passenger Controller May Wear Headscarf - Landmark German Court Ruling Protects Muslim Woman's Right to Wear Headscarf at Work
A Muslim woman has won a landmark discrimination case after being denied a job as an aviation security assistant because of her headscarf. Germany's Federal Labor Court ruled that rejecting her application on religious grounds was unlawful. The decision could force changes to national guidelines on workplace attire for airport staff. The woman, whose qualifications met the job's requirements, was turned down solely because she wore a religious headscarf. The court found no proof that the garment would cause conflicts or interfere with security checks. Judges declared that not wearing a headscarf was not an essential part of the job. Under German law, only the Bundesinnenministerium (Federal Ministry of the Interior) can set general rules on headscarf bans for airport security. Private companies and lower-level agencies lack the authority to impose such restrictions, according to the ruling issued on 29 January 2026 in Erfurt. The verdict means Muslim women may now wear headscarves while working at passenger and baggage checks. It also raises questions about existing guidelines, which the Federal Police may need to revise to comply with anti-discrimination laws. The court's decision confirms that religious attire alone cannot justify job rejections in aviation security. Employers must now ensure their hiring practices align with the new legal standards. The ruling could lead to broader policy updates across Germany's airport security sector.
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