British passenger Dr Ellie Holman was arrested after landing at the airport in the UAE and was found to have alcohol in her bloodstream.
She confirmed that she had a glass of wine during the flight that was offered by the airline.
Emirates has made statements regarding their alcohol rules.
Emirates customers have complained in regards to alcohol consumption.
One woman asked: “Dear @emirates and @British_Airways, am I in danger of getting arrested on a flight to the #UAE if I order alcohol?
Another asked: “Could you clarify if I can drink alcohol in the lounge and during a connecting flight from BHX to BKK. The Embassy are now saying it's illegal to consume whilst transiting through DBX.”
Emirates responded by saying - Alcohol consumption is not prohibited on our flights.
Furthermore alcohol is also served in the lounged in Dubai airport and available for purchase in the Duty Free.
Emirates continues to invest in our food and beverage programme, which is an integral part of our inflight experience, says an Emirates official.
However, like on any other airline, or indeed any hospitality establishment, unruly or disruptive behaviour from intoxication will not be tolerated, and there may be legal consequences.
The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew on board will always be our top priority, Emirates said.
The British Embassy in the UAE warned Britons travelling to the country in regards to drinking alcohol.
They said it is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public, including when transiting through the UAE.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested.
Dubai is popular with British travellers for the cheap flights on offer and good weather all year round.
UAE has recently announced new changes for tourists in regard to transit visa, allowing longer in the country, and free visas for children in a tourism drive.
However strict rules in regards to other substances such as drugs and relations between men and women should be checked before travelling.
A strictly Muslim country, some tourists have found themselves in trouble when participating in activities that are allowed in the UK.
Earlier, Dubai tourists were warned against drinking alcohol on flights when travelling to the country following the arrest of a British mother who drank one glass of wine on an Emirates flight.
Dubai flights often serve alcoholic drinks inflight as it is not illegal to drink in the air.
It is but illegal to be drunk in public in Dubai.
The British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued the warning to Britons travelling to the country.
They warned, if caught carrying or drinking alcohol without a licence or with alcohol in your blood you can be arrested.
The warning follows the arrest of Ellie Holman, who was detained when landing and was found with alcohol in her blood.
It is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public-including when transiting through the UAE.
It can result in custodial sentences and/or fine but other offences committed while drunk will be heard separately.
Take care to respect local customs, behave respectfully when consuming alcohol.
There is zero tolerance for drink driving in the UAE. You can be arrested as a passenger in a car driven by someone with alcohol in their blood.
Tourists cannot buy a license for alcohol, and so must only drink in areas which carry a license.
Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of human rights group detained in Dubai, said: In light of the FCO’s announcement, we will be contacting all airlines who transit to or through the UAE to clarify their position on serving alcohol to passengers.
Either the UAE will need to reform their laws urgently, or the airlines will need to update their policy to ensure the safety of customers.
Dr Ellie Holman was imprisoned for three days in Dubai after being asked if she had consumed alcohol on the flight.
She said she was very pleased the Foreign Office had changed the travel warning for British tourists.
Dubai has recently been encouraging British tourists to visit by offering free transit visas as well as free children visas every summer.
Flights to the UAE destination can be as cheap as £350 return when travelling abroad on holiday.
However, a number of tourists have come into trouble due to the strict laws.
Jamie Harron was sentenced to a month in prison last year for drinking alcohol, after being accused of indecently touching another man.
The man said he touched his hip in the bar, something Mr Harron said happened when he tried to walk past while carrying drinks.
Despite paying £32,000 in legal fees and losing his job, the British tourist said he would go back to the country.
A passenger was jailed in Dubai after drinking alcohol on a flight when travelling to the country on holiday with her family, but is it against the law to do so?
A passenger flying from the UK to Dubai was jailed after landing when she drank a glass of wine on the flight.
Dr Ellie Holman, 44, from Kent, was travelling with her four-year-old daughter when she was given a glass of alcohol on an Emirates flight.
When she landed, she was jailed due to public intoxication.
But is it against the law to drink on flights when travelling to Dubai?
Flights to and from Dubai will often serve alcohol, such as Emirates and Etihad.
Some flights will be dry depending on the carrier, and which country it is based such as Kuwait Airways and Egypt Air who do not serve alcohol.
While it is not banned to drink onboard if it is served, it is illegal to be drunk in public in Dubai, also known as public intoxication.
The Foreign Office warns: “You should be aware that it is a punishable offence under UAE law to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in public.
“Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested.”
This means, if a passenger has landed after having had an alcoholic drink, they could be breaking the law if alcohol is found in the blood in tests.
Drinking in Dubai is not prohibited across the country, but alcohol must only be confused in licensed venues such as hotels and restaurants.
Being drunk and disorderly is against the law and could see long jail sentences.
Dr Holman, who has been in jail since July, could face being imprisoned for a year.
She said my passport remains confiscated until the case is settled, which I have been told will take at least a year.
It has reportedly cost her more than £50,000 in legal fees and missed work: My practice is closed. All our savings have gone.
A number of tourists have been jailed or fined while on holiday in Dubai for breaking local laws.
Jake Harron, 27, from Scotland, was arrested for public indecency last year after putting a hand on a man’s hip in a bar while walking past with a drink
He was sentenced to three months in prison after spending £32,000 in legal fees, which was eventually overruled.
Caren Harmon, 43, was detained in the country last year after being accused of taking illegal drugs on the flight.
She was subjected to a number of tests, which were found to be negative and she was released after three and a half hours.
Jamie Harron, 27, from Stirling in Scotland, has had his passport taken away from him and faces a three year sentence over the allegations that he touched a businessman’s hip in a bar in Dubai.
The electrician has been convicted and sentenced in advance of his trial on public indecency for drinking alcohol in the Alcohol free zone.
A spokesman for prosecution service in Dubai said: On the drinking charge, he has been sentenced to a month in jail, fined 2,000 dirhams (£412) and will be deported.
His next appearance on the public indecency case is on October 22.
Mr Harron has admitted that he placed his hand on a man’s hip to ensure that they would not bump into each other and spill their drinks.
However, he has said it was a cultural misunderstanding and he has denied indecency.
Following the incident in the bar, he was arrested and jailed for five days before being released on bail.
Mr Harron has been stuck in Dubai for the last three months and spent more than £32,000 in expenses and legal fees in a bid to resolve the issue.
Mr Harron said: I never knew how much stress I could endure until this happened and the waiting game is the worst.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained In Dubai, the British-based NGO who is leading the campaign to help Jamie, said: Jamie's case is not about knowing the law. He followed the law and has witnesses to support him.
This is a case of false and spiteful allegations being made against Jamie and the way that Dubai authorities have responded.
The complainant in this case has no evidence of any crime being committed but Jamie has been stuck in the UAE for more than three months.
Regarding the alcohol charges, of course, he was drinking, everyone was.
He was in a licensed bar. Informing tourists of the law does not help, when the entire enforcement system in the UAE needs an overhaul.
His father, Graham, said: We can't believe that this nightmare has gone on for three months. Jamie is a good boy. He has never been a problem and never in trouble.
We are a very close family and it is killing us to think of him spending even three nights in jail, let alone three years.
Mr Harron had been working in Afghanistan and was on a two-day stopover in Dubai when the incident happened.
British government warned tourists flying to Dubai not to drink alcohol on flights or they risk jail after a mum was locked up for having a glass of wine on a journey to the United Arab Emirates.
The warning, which came on the UK in the United Arab Emirates Facebook page, warned Britons it is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public - including when transiting through the UAE.
The British Consulate said that people should take care to respect local customs and behave respectfully when consuming alcohol.
The warning also said: If caught carrying or drinking alcohol without a licence or with alcohol in your blood, you can be arrested.
It is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public - including when transiting through the UAE.
It can result in custodial sentences and/or a fine.
They told the UK expats that they would need to apply for a licence before they can drink alcohol, which only non-Muslims and non-tourists are able to obtain.
Millions holiday in the UAE every year and they should not be put in harms way by Emirates and other airlines and suffer like I and my family did.
Either the UAE will need to reform their laws urgently, or the airlines will need to update their policy to ensure the safety of customers.
The travel advice says: The UAE is a Muslim country. Laws and customs are very different to those in the UK. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times. There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK.
Tourism Observer
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