Airlines

UAE bars entry of travellers with single name on Indian passport

New UAE immigration rules

According to new regulations, visitors who do not have their full name on an Indian passport are not permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates. Any passport bearer with a single name will not be accepted by UAE immigration, according to a joint circular from Air India and AI Express.

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Guidelines from NAIC,UAE for passengers with a single name on passport:
*Visa issued with more than one name,passenger has father's/family name mentioned in the 2nd page is accepted.
*Passenger eligible for VOA if the father's/family name mentioned in the 2nd page is accepted. pic.twitter.com/rO9JjunPvC

— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) November 24, 2022

An announcement on the Air India website stated that “Any passport bearer with a single name (word), either in surname or given name will not be recognised by UAE immigration and the traveller will be deemed as INAD.”

INAD, standing for “inadmissible passenger,” is a phrase used in aviation to describe passengers who cannot enter the country they are trying to visit. When a person is identified as INAD, the airline takes them back to their country.

Passengers with visiting visas or visas on arrival were required to properly indicate both their first and last names on their passports, according to the law that went into effect on Monday (November 21), that has now been changed. Numerous passengers had been anxious as a result of the rule. According to media reports, several travellers having only one name listed on their passports were unable to board flights entering the UAE.

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.