UAE airlines' passengers hit by Trump order

30/01/2017 10:55 AST

UAE's major airlines Emirates and Etihad have been forced to turn away some US-bound passengers due to the new order from President Donald Trump restricting people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US, a report said.

A very small number of our passengers travelling were affected by the new US immigration entry requirements, said The National report quoting an Emirates spokesman.

The spokesman said the airline continued to comply with the guidance provided by US Customs and Border Protection with regards to entry requirements for travel to and from the US.

"Where applicable, we are assisting the affected travellers with their flight rebookings. Emirates is offering rebooking and refund options to passengers holding passports from the seven affected nations who are booked to travel to and from the US. Passengers are responsible for ensuring they have the required documents for their travel. Please see our website for more information," the spokesman was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways spokesman said the airline is continuing to work closely with US Customs and Border Protection agency both in Abu Dhabi and in the US on the immigration issues. He said a number of passengers had been affected, The National quoted.

The people affected by the new US order are from Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Yemen.

People from these countries were said to be able to travel to the US only if they are in possession of a permanent resident card, also known as a green card, or the visas A1 and A2, which are for government officials and immediate family; C2, which is for travel to the United Nations; G1 and G2, which are for representatives and employees of international organisations; G3 and G4, which are for representatives and employees of international organisations and Nato, The National said.

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