Latest news with #SafeerMohammed
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE travel: Families can save Dh250 per flight ticket this summer; here's how
With daily flights to India, Thailand, Bangladesh and other popular destinations, Fujairah airport is expecting to see a surge in passenger numbers this summer. Less crowds, attractive offers and lower airfares have contributed to the popularity. 'We anticipate a surge in passenger traffic this summer from June due to convenience of accessing our airport,' said Esmaeil M Al Baloushi, General Manager of Fujairah International Airport (FIA). Dubai-based travel agency Smart Travel recently signed an agreement with FIA and will open an office there next month to facilitate smooth experience for their customers. 'This summer, passengers flying to India can save an average of Dh250 per person on flight tickets if they opt to travel out of Fujairah airport as opposed to a more busy airport like Dubai,' said Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travel. 'For larger families, this could translate into massive savings for their annual vacation.' Soaring ticket prices for flights from UAE to India during summer vacation has long been an issue for Indian expats. Ticket prices to certain cities sometimes double during peak travel season. He added that there are several attractive offers from Fujairah for this summer. 'There are flights to Phuket from Dh600 with a layover in Mumbai for just two hours,' he said. 'Such offers are becoming extremely popular among UAE residents.' Perks In addition to this, the airport is giving several perks including discounts and free shuttles to attract more flyers. 'We have several offers for our flyers,' said Esmaeil. 'There will be free shuttle services from Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain to Fujairah Airport so that travellers can get to the airport smoothly. We are also offering a 20 percent discount on all duty-free purchases for our passengers.' In addition to this, there are some luggage allowances as well. Recently, Indian airlines IndiGo began operating daily flights from Fujairah to the Indian cities of Mumbai and Kannur. On the IndiGo flights, passengers and offered an allowance to take 5kg additional baggage to make travel more convenient. According to Esmaeil, there are plans to expand the offerings of the airport. 'Our airport offers flights to Mumbai and Kannur by IndiGo, and we are planning to expand flights to other Indian destinations by IndiGo, and adding more flights to other destinations,' he said. 'Our discussions with other airlines are progressing.' He added that Fujairah airport is planning to 'continuously improve' their facilities and services to better serve our passengers by 'offering multiple flights to various destinations and attract more people to Fujairah as a hub'.
Hi Dubai
24-03-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Authorities Intensify Crackdown on Visit Visa Violations, Travel Agents Warn Against Working on Visit Visas
Dubai authorities have intensified their efforts to curb illegal employment practices following the conclusion of a generous visa amnesty scheme. Travel industry professionals report a surge in inspections targeting individuals working on visit visas, resulting in a sharp decline in overstayers. According to Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travels, numerous company premises have been inspected in recent months. "Inspection teams have visited our office tower multiple times. While working on a visit visa has always been illegal, enforcement has now become much stricter," he stated. The visa amnesty, which ran from September to December 2024, allowed individuals who had overstayed their visit visas to legalize their status or leave the country without penalties. Following its conclusion, authorities conducted extensive inspection campaigns in January, leading to over 6,000 arrests for visa violations, a top official revealed. Industry experts note a significant impact on overstaying figures. "Since January, the number of visit visa overstayers has dropped to below 10%, which is a substantial improvement," Mohammed added. Bharat Aidasani of Pluto Travels emphasized the legal repercussions, stating, "We strictly advise our customers against working on visit visas. The consequences are severe, including deportation." The UAE bolstered its labour laws in August 2023, introducing stringent penalties ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for companies employing individuals without valid work permits or bringing workers into the country without securing jobs for them. Noushad Hassan of Alhind Travels Business Centre confirmed increased inspections across various companies since the amnesty ended. "Authorities are ensuring compliance, and we've observed a steady decline in overstayers," he said. Hassan also noted that, previously, some individuals found themselves stranded after overstaying their visas. "Many contacted us for assistance in returning home. Now, visit visa renewals require individuals to exit the country first, making it harder for unscrupulous firms to exploit workers." The ongoing crackdown underscores Dubai's commitment to maintaining a lawful labour environment, ensuring compliance with visa regulations, and protecting workers from potential exploitation. News Source: Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
24-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Don't work on visit visas, travel agents warn as crackdown intensifies
Dubai authorities have ramped up efforts to crack down on individuals working on visit visas in the emirate, travel agents claimed. According to them, this has led to a noticeable reduction in the number of people overstaying in the country. 'We've heard of multiple company premises being inspected recently,' claimed Safeer Mohammed, general manager of Smart Travels. 'Inspection teams have also visited our office tower several times over the past few months. While working on a visit visa has always been illegal, the authorities are now ensuring that everyone is strictly following the rules.' This follows the end of a generous amnesty scheme, one of the country's most lenient, which allowed those overstaying their visit visas to either legalise their status or leave without facing penalties. The programme, which ran from September to December 2024, helped thousands resolve their visa issues. Following the end of the visa amnesty, more than 6,000 violators were arrested during inspection campaigns in January, a top official revealed. Safeer highlighted that these measures have played a key role in reducing the number of visit visa overstayers by more than half. 'Since January, we've seen the number of people overstaying their visit visas reduced to less than 10 per cent,' he said. Bharat Aidasani of Pluto Travels emphasised that it has always been illegal to work on a visit visa in the UAE. 'We strictly advise our customers not to do so,' he said. 'Since the end of the amnesty, inspections have become more frequent, and the penalties are severe, with deportation being the consequence for anyone caught working on a visit visa.' In August of last year, the UAE amended its labour law to impose hefty fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million on companies that employ workers without the proper permits or bring them into the country without securing jobs for them. Noushad Hassan from Alhind Travels Business Centre also shared that several companies have been inspected since the amnesty ended. 'We've heard of several companies being checked to ensure no one on a visit visa is working there,' he said. 'It is a great way to ensure that rules are being followed. We have also seen a steady decrease in the number of people overstaying their visit visa so it is really having a positive impact," Noushad added. He also noted that some workers had previously found themselves stranded after overstaying their visas. 'They would contact us asking for assistance to return home,' he said. 'Now, companies in Dubai cannot renew visit visas without the workers physically returning home. With the increased inspections, it will be much harder for unscrupulous companies to take advantage of workers.'
