In an important travel advisory, visit visa holders flying from India to the UAE are now strongly encouraged to book their roundtrip tickets with the same airline. This recommendation comes from travel agents citing advisories from several airlines, aimed at ensuring smoother travel experiences and preventing boarding issues.
Recently, some travelers faced difficulties flying to the UAE due to booking their return flights on different airlines. Taha Siddique, director of Siddique Travels, explained, “Advisories from some airlines state that if the journey to the UAE is booked with them, the journey to India must also be booked with the same airline. Failure to comply with this new requirement may result in passengers being denied boarding.”
This sentiment was echoed by other travel agents. Noushad Hassan, managing director of Alhind Business Centre, noted that although these advisories were mostly received in India, it is still wise for passengers to book both legs of their journey with the same airline to avoid unnecessary complications. Libin Varghese from Rooh Tourism also advised caution, stating, “It is better to book onward and return journey tickets on the same airline for hassle-free travel.”
Stricter Checks at Dubai Airports Lead to Boarding Denials
The advisory on booking tickets comes amid stricter checks reportedly introduced at Dubai airports. Travel agents reported instances of passengers being denied boarding or sent back home for not meeting specific travel requirements. “We have seen cases of up to 40 passengers being returned on the same flight,” said Noushad.
This underscores the importance of complying with all travel requirements, including carrying funds equivalent to Dh3,000 (either in cash or on a credit card) and providing valid proof of accommodation such as a hotel booking or a host’s letter with their Emirates ID. Additionally, travelers must have a confirmed return ticket to ensure compliance with visit visa conditions.
Financial Implications for Airlines
“When a passenger is denied entry by the immigration section of any airport, the passenger’s return becomes the airline’s responsibility, causing financial losses for the carriers,” explained Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels. To avoid these circumstances, airlines are conducting stricter checks at departure airports, denying boarding to travelers not carrying the required documents and funds.
As summer approaches, travel demand from India to the UAE is soaring. “It’s summer in India and people want to travel. The closest and ideal destination from any part of India is the UAE. We can see flights at full capacity and airfares from India have also increased,” said Aidasani.
Advisory to Ensure Document Compliance
Due to these stricter checks, travel agents are advising passengers to ensure they have all the necessary documents before traveling. Mir Waseem Raja, manager at International Travel Services, shared, “In the last two days, we had a few passengers who were denied boarding passes at the Indian airports. Strict checks are being done so that they gain entry into the UAE and the airline doesn’t lose their seats.”
Libin Varghese also noted an increase in travelers being stopped at airports due to insufficient funds or lack of proof of accommodation. “We have seen an increase in the number of travelers being stopped at the airport because they do not have the required amount or proof of accommodation in the country,” he said.
