In response to recent travel updates for visitors from India to UAE, a few Indian airlines have issued a set of guidelines for passengers.
The advisory, issued by airlines to travel agents in India and in UAE, states that “travellers should carry necessary documents when travelling from Indian cities to the UAE.”
An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed to Khaleej Times that they issued an advisory urging passengers to carry valid passports, return tickets, accommodation details, and financial proof.
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The advisory stated that travellers from India must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
“Visitors must have a confirmed return ticket, proof of confirmed hotel reservation, carry or have in their account Dh3,000 (approximately Rs68,000) for a 1-month visa and Dh5,000 for a longer stay, and additional documents of relatives or friends who are residents of the UAE,” the advisory stated.
Travel agents based in India and Dubai told Khaleej Times that they have received advisories from many airlines flying between the two countries.
“We have received circulars from SpiceJet, Air India, and other airlines who have issued such advisories so that travellers can be equipped with all the necessary documents and funds for ease in travel,” said Taha Siddique, owner of Siddique Travels.
According to a circular shared with the agents by SpiceJet, the airline warns the passengers to carry all the documents and that “failure to do so may lead to deportation.”
The advisory also stated that “passengers who do not have the required documents will be denied boarding on our flights at the departing airport and all related charges will be debited to the ticketing agency.”
“We will have to bear the expenses of the return if our client is denied entry in the UAE airports. So we make sure that they have all the related documents before we book their tickets,” said Siddique.
According to travel agents, travellers are well aware of the situation and are carrying all the necessary documents.
“As many were not allowed to board the flights from India, or were sent back from the UAE airport, travellers are not taking any chance now and they are well prepared in advance,” said Deepak Kaushik, operations manager at ToursOnBoard.
Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, said if denied entry to UAE, “it becomes the airline’s responsibility to take the traveller back to his home country, and this is the reason that they are conducting rigorous checks before issuing a boarding pass.”
“Travellers at the check-in counters have their documents checked by airline executives. Upon failure to produce them, travellers may be sent back or asked to obtain the documents before boarding the flight,” said Firoz Maliyakkal, founder and CEO of Tahira Tours and Travels.