It was brought to my attention by someone who was recently released (without charge) from Dubai that Emirates Airlines are serving alcohol to persons on the plane, knowing that they will be incarcerated on arrival in Dubai if breath tested.  This raises the question of whether in fact, EA owe a duty of care to their passengers to either ban alcohol in flight or warn passengers that if they leave the plane, they risk detention.

Mark tells us his views:

Part of Dubai’s law on alcohol is the following: “drinking in public or being intoxicated in a public place is illegal.”

Questions were raised by me and inmates regarding alcohol served by Emirates Airlines.  One of my cell mates was travelling with a group of friends. The hostess offered them free extra bottles of wine. They refused. After listening to the story provided by the 63 year old man, he was glad they declined the offer.

To protect the privacy of the 63 year old, I will call him Peter. He was travelling first class. Throughout his journey, alcohol was served for free. He took advantage of the offer.

Once he arrived in Dubai, he was pulled aside by customs. He was clearly intoxicated, but not misbehaving. Peter was breathalysed and then arrested. When he stood up for himself, a group of eight police men took him to a room and bashed him.

Time I arrived at the deportation centre; his bruises had already cleared up. I was told by others what he looked like when he first arrived. They were all horrified by his conditions.

It wasn’t the first time you came across men entering covered in bruises, but an older man makes you sick. It is wrong. I saw him cry on several occasions and my heart would overflow with sadness. Although my father has passed away, I had visions of him in the same situation.

Peter left the following week of my release.  His stay would have been for approximately 50 days.

I definitely question the integrity and lack of responsibility of Emirates airlines towards its customers. They are aware of alcohol laws in Dubai and still serving it.

All flights going to and through the UAE should ban the serving of alcohol. Being a responsible drinker is not the issue. Why serve alcohol when it’s a crime to be intoxicated in public?

Not once did any of the airline crew advise the travellers of the possible consequences in drinking throughout the flight. They just kept on serving, glass after glass.

Since returning home, I have been corresponding with Emirates airlines requesting change in their policies and procedures. To this date, nothing has been achieved.

Mark Simonato