Persons banned from entry to the UAE

[maninblack]

I was talking with a business associate over the weekend who happens to be both a QF WP and an Israeli citizen. He was suggesting to me that know that Dubai will be the QF hub into Europe his days of flying QF are essentially over. Israeli passport holders are not permitted entry to the UAE and whilst tranistting may be okay, it is probably not a good idea. He says many Israelis who have been flying Qantas will now be in the same boat. Interesting conundrum.

 

[simongr]

I realise that in transit you are still entering the UAE but you do not go through passport control thus do not require a visa. So if these pax were originally flying syd-lhr via sin there may not be any change.

Of course if the plane is hijacked they are likely to the first along with US citizens to be taken to Entebbe.

 

[paxman]

can I add anyone who has done business in/with the UAE that perhaps didn't turn out too well for either party...

 

[maninblack]

can I add anyone who has done business in/with the UAE that perhaps didn't turn out too well for either party...

That could end up being AJ himself :!: (for various reasons I might add)

 

[samh004]

Same could be said of many places with a different subset of people.

Does this mean no more kosher meal choices?




 

[anat0l]

I hope this thread or argument doesn't blow up into Qantas's decision equating to a position of anti-Israeli / anti-Semitic


A quick Google (including on FT) seems to throw up some positive (i.e. nothing to worry about, particularly if it is just a transit - not stopover requiring passport control) experiences. Suffice to say, many anecdotes I've read people carry two passports (i.e. Israeli one and another one, e.g. US, UK, Australian, etc.), which seems to account for any possible problems. That said, I've seen an article which suggests that even Israelis using another passport have been "caught" in the UAE and faced consequences similar to if they had tried to enter with an Israeli passport.

Also suffice to say, there are no one-stop options anyway for people passing through Dubai going to Israel.


There is an additional layer of complication between someone with an Israeli passport or someone with a non-Israeli passport, but with a record of having been to Israel.


The broad brush conclusion of all the evidence on the web seems to suggest that the jury is out whether people on Israeli passports can safely transit through Dubai.

I don't know if anyone has access to the visa advice used by IATA etc. (can't remember its name, starts with T, I think) to seek out the rules.

 

[moa999]

You will still have a QF to SIN, BA to LHR, BA to TLV option, the same as you currently have, just not a thru service.
or presumably QF/CX to HKG, CX to TLV

so still plenty of options I suspect

 

[maninblack]

Just to clarify. This particular chap is London based but flies to Australia often with his favorite airline. Qantas. He has plenty of options but I suspect Qantas will no longer be amongst them.

 

[simongr]

I know I argued above that he could safely (potentially) transit UAE, if I was in his position I wouldn't bother.

 

[Platinum A332]

That is his decision. He can transit in DXB without any problem. If he has dual citizenship, then this is a non-issue.

I have Jewish friends who have flown EK and even visited DXB. No they did not get glass objects thrown at them during transit. No, they did not get detained after passport control. No, they were not subjected to capital punishment or any form of summary exectution. Just thought I would clarify a few things.

 

[codash1099]

That is his decision. He can transit in DXB without any problem. If he has dual citizenship, then this is a non-issue.

I have Jewish friends who have flown EK and even visited DXB. No they did not get glass objects thrown at them during transit. No, they did not get detained after passport control. No, they were not subjected to capital punishment or any form of summary exectution. Just thought I would clarify a few things.

Nevertheless, I would imagine that there are many Jewish people who would have understandable doubts. As this forum's token Jew (OK, maybe there are others), I certainly have my concerns.

 

[maninblack]

That is his decision. He can transit in DXB without any problem. If he has dual citizenship, then this is a non-issue.

I have Jewish friends who have flown EK and even visited DXB. No they did not get glass objects thrown at them during transit. No, they did not get detained after passport control. No, they were not subjected to capital punishment or any form of summary exectution. Just thought I would clarify a few things.

I do not believe that he has dual nationality.

 

[Platinum A332]

The concerns are definitely understandable, but I am sure Qantas thought this through. From my understanding also, whilst not on the EK website, Kosher meals can be ordered on EK flights and I am sure will still be available on QF flights. So Jewish customers flying EK is not a new thing.

As an aside, Qantas probably has one of the best arrangements in terms of airline partnerships for Australian-based Jews. Not only do they have an agreement with El Al, but Royal Jordanian also flies up to 3xday from AMM-TLV with very quick connections onto BKK and HKG. It is not uncommon to see the majority of passengers on a flight between AMM and BKK to be connecting to/from TLV.

 

[maninblack]

Of course. Being Jewish is not an issue with EK. It is being on an Israeli passport through the UAE that is the problem.

 

[747800intercon]

In reference to Kosher Meals (code KSML) these are in fact offered on EK and indeed on flights out of Dubai.

Obviously therre are places where getting a KSML will not be offered - specifically if you book flights out of Iran such a meal request is rejected when requested in the airline reservation system.

 

[pyffii]

The real issue for an Australian passport who has the place of birth as Israel is not the transit issue but a problem really surfaces if the Qantas 380 has a technical issue that requires an overnight stay...Whilst i realise there is a hotel in the transit area this issue of "risk" is not one I am prepared to take as my wife was born in Israel...Of course our options to travel to Europe are still through either Singapore or Hong Kong but the BA 747 in J or A does not provide the same level of comfort as the QF 380..That being said I think the best option is with CX...Just waiting for the deal to be confirmed before I ring QF to be rerouted via HK next June

 

[747800intercon]

pyffii - does UAE restrict Australian passport holders but birth place Israel as well?

 

[pyffii]

no... but I wouldnt want to run the risk of "problems" should we need to enter UAE...You would think that an Australian passport holder would be safe but funnier things have happened !!!...In my view its better to just go via HK whilst realising I cant upgrade from HK to LHR

 

[markis10]

pyffii - does UAE restrict Australian passport holders but birth place Israel as well?

Pretty specific wording: Nationals of “Israel” may not enter the UAE

 

[el_rooto]

Does QF still codeshare with LY?