Dubai Airports has told airlines that they would have to repatriate tourists who would arrive in the UAE without a confirmed return ticket, according to a circular issued today, October 15.
The advisory comes after several passengers from South Asian countries got stranded at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday and Thursday because they failed to meet the entry requirements.
The circular, a copy of which Khaleej Times has seen, said: “Passengers with visit and tourist visas arriving (in) Dubai without a return ticket will be not be permitted entry, and it is the sole responsibility of the airline to arrange and cover the cost of a ticket/ flight to return their passenger to the country of origin.”
A majority of stranded passengers were from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. On Thursday, diplomatic missions of India and Pakistan announced that over 300 passengers without confirmed return tickets had returned to their home countries.
Approximately 200 passengers from India got stranded at the airport. Neeraj Agarwal, Consul for press, information and culture, said: “About 140 to 150 were sent back to India on Thursday and roughly 45 passengers were able to clear immigration and enter UAE. Most of the passengers arrived on Air Vistara and GoAir airlines and a few were on flydubai and Emirates Airline.”
Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul-General of Pakistan in Dubai, said: “Around 169 people have been repatriated since yesterday. We are sending back people stranded at the airport as and when seats are available on the aircraft. Morekhaleejtimes.com
by Dhanusha Gokulan khaleejtimes.com
