DUBIA: “Like A Maharaja”: Indian Businessman Only Passenger On Flight To Dubai

DUBIA: An Indian businessman based in
the UAE had a once-in-a-lifetime experience when he got the chance to travel on
an Air India flight as the only passenger, certainly feeling like a “Maharaja“
(King).

SP Singh
Oberoi, who holds a 10-year golden visa of UAE, flew from Amritsar in Punjab to
Dubai on an Air India flight on Wednesday, according to a report. He was the
only passenger on the plane, apart from the flight crew.

The
United Arab Emirates’ “golden” visa system grants 10-year residency
in the Gulf state to certain professionals and prominent global personalities.

Mr Oberoi
is the managing trustee of Sarbat Da Bhala Trust, president of Asian Gatka
Foundation, and founder and chairman of Apex Group Of Companies, according to
his social media profiles.

“I
felt like a maharaja (king) during my travel,” he said after the
three-hour flight.

Flight
operations were suspended between India and the UAE for the public since April
24 due to a spike in COVID-19 cases during the second coronavirus wave.
However, UAE officials have allowed diplomats, golden visa holders, and
Emiratis to travel from India amid the travel ban, a report said.

According
to the report, Mr Oberoi was earlier refused permission to take the flight but
was later allowed after the intervention of aviation ministry officials. He
said he had all relevant travel documents, including full vaccination proof
authorised by the UAE.

Mr Oberoi
thanked the UAE and Indian governments for the “memorable” journey.

“Sometimes
in vital situations we get opportunities to cherish for life. Highly appreciate
the Government of UAE and India for making it a memorable journey, thank you
Air India for special services, you made it absolutely a wonderful
journey,” he said on Facebook.

Air India
had earlier announced that normal flights will resume from today for the
public. However, it tweeted earlier in the day: “Flights to Dubai are
being operated with curtailed scheduled due to travel restrictions implemented
by UAE govt. Before planning your travel please confirm your eligibility for
entry into UAE.”