Travel agents are cautioning India-based travelers bound for the UAE to book their roundtrip tickets on the same airline to avoid potential boarding denials, citing advisories from select carriers.
Advisories from Airlines
The requirement stems from recent incidents where passengers were reportedly unable to fly to the UAE due to return flights booked on different airlines.
Taha Siddique, director of Siddique Travels, highlighted advisories from certain airlines stipulating that both legs of the journey must be booked with the same carrier. Failure to adhere to this directive could lead to boarding denials. Siddique shared instances where clients faced such issues and now advises booking both legs with the same airline to prevent complications.
This advice was echoed by other travel agents, including Noushad Hassan, managing director of Alhind Business Centre, who emphasized the importance of booking with the same carrier to avoid potential difficulties.
Airport Stricter Checks
Stricter checks at Dubai airports reportedly prompted these advisories. Travel agents reported cases of passengers being turned away due to non-compliance with entry requirements, such as carrying sufficient funds and proof of accommodation. Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, highlighted that airlines incur losses when passengers are denied entry, leading to boarding denials for travelers without necessary documents.
With summer approaching, travel demand from India to the UAE is surging, exacerbating the need for travelers to ensure they meet entry requirements. Travel agents are urging passengers to prepare adequately and avoid last-minute complications at departure airports to prevent boarding denials.
Travel agents are emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation to prevent disruptions to travel plans. Mir Waseem Raja, manager at International Travel Services, noted an increase in passengers being denied boarding passes at Indian airports due to stringent checks aimed at ensuring compliance with UAE entry regulations. This underscores the necessity for travelers to possess all required documents, including proof of adequate funds and accommodation, to avoid being turned away at departure airports.
The surge in travel demand from India to the UAE during the summer season further underscores the need for travelers to plan ahead. Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, highlighted the spike in flight bookings and rising airfares from India to the UAE. This heightened demand places additional pressure on travelers to secure their bookings and fulfill entry requirements to avoid potential disruptions to their travel plans. Therefore, to minimize the risk of boarding denials, travelers should take proactive steps to ensure compliance with entry regulations and book their roundtrip tickets with the same airline.
