Travel agents warn passengers flying from India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to book their return tickets with the same airline.
This recommendation follows advisories from several airlines, stating that passengers may be denied boarding if their return flights are booked with a different carrier, VisaGuide.World reports.
Passengers Face Strict Controls at UAE Airports for Booking Tickets With 2 Different Airlines
Some travel agents have confirmed that some of their customers have returned earlier due to booking a return ticket with another airline.
Many have even confirmed this by saying that they had seen the advice from some airlines that they would not accept travelers who had tickets on different airlines.
According to Aviation24, considering that the airports have introduced stricter controls, they have resulted in the return of 40 passengers on the same flight.
Travelers to the UAE must carry funds equivalent to AED 3,000 (either in cash or on a credit card), provide valid proof of accommodation (such as a hotel reservation or a letter from an Emirati host in the UAE, including a copy of their Emirates ID), and have a confirmed return ticket. Thus, meeting these conditions may result in a return to their home country.
Airlines lose money when passengers are denied entry and must be returned. To avoid this, travellers without required documents and cash are being denied boarding.
Travel Demand Is Expected to Increase in UAE, Especially Among Indians
Aidasani further said that this summer, more people are expected to travel from India to the UAE.
He also added that the closest and ideal destination from any part of India is the UAE. At the same time, he revealed that the country is seeing flights at total capacity and flight tickets from India have also increased.
In addition, the manager at International Travel Services said that in the last two days, several passengers have been denied boarding at Indian airports.
The same emphasized that there has been an increase in the number of travelers being stopped at the airport because they need the required proof of accommodation in the country.
Moreover, data provided by Emirates Group shows that from January 7, 2024, eligible Indian nationals with an ordinary passport valid for at least six months can obtain a single entry, 14-day visa on arrival. As a result, all Indian citizens are required to pay a fee of $63.