UAE Visit Visa New Rules Travelers on Visit Visas Advised to Book Roundtrip Tickets with Same Airline
Travel agents are advising visit visa holders traveling from India to the UAE to book their roundtrip tickets with the same airline. This recommendation comes in light of advisories from some airlines, which have warned that passengers may be denied boarding if their return flight is booked with a different carrier.
According to recent reports, several passengers were unable to board their flights to the United Arab Emirates since their flights back to India were scheduled with other carriers.
Taha Siddique, director of Siddique Travels, explained the situation to Khaleej Times, saying, “Some of my clients faced problems because their ticket to Dubai was booked on one airline and the return was on another. I am now advising my clients to book both legs of their journey with the same carrier.”
Other travel agents echoed this advice. Noushad Hassan, managing director of Alhind Business Centre, noted that his office in India had received similar advisories from certain airlines. “Although these advisories were primarily received in India, Hassan advised booking with the same carrier to prevent any unnecessary complications.
With more passengers being stopped from boarding flights from India, travel agents are urging caution. Libin Varghese from Rooh Tourism emphasized, “It is better to book onward and return journey tickets on the same airline for hassle-free travel.”
Stricter checks have reportedly been introduced at Dubai airports, causing some passengers to be sent back home for not meeting entry requirements. “Noushad Hassan stated, “We’ve seen up to 40 passengers being returned on the same flight”. He explained that airlines are held responsible for passengers denied entry by immigration and that this situation results in financial losses for the carriers.
Pluto Travels managing partner Bharath Aidasani clarified the situation by saying, “Passengers without the necessary documentation and cash are being denied boarding at departure airports to avoid such circumstances.”
As the summer season approaches, travel demand from India to the UAE is increasing. “It’s summer in India, and people are eager to travel. The UAE is a convenient and popular destination, leading to full flights and higher airfares,” said Aidasani.
Due to these stringent checks, travel agents are advising passengers to ensure they have all necessary documents before traveling. Mir Waseem Raja, manager at International Travel Services, reported, “In the past two days, we’ve had several passengers denied boarding passes at Indian airports. Strict checks are in place to ensure passengers can gain entry into the UAE and airlines don’t lose seats.”
Libin Varghese added, “We’ve noticed more travelers being stopped at the airport because they lack the required funds or proof of accommodation in the UAE.”
In summary, travelers on visit visas are being urged to book their roundtrip tickets with the same airline to avoid any disruptions to their travel plans.