Nisha, a Chennai-based makeup artist, was left shocked when her daughter, excited to travel to Dubai with her grandmother and cousins for a vacation, was denied boarding despite a non-objection certificate from parents along with other documents. In a post dated January 29, 2025 — going viral on social media — she shared, “Previously, we had kids in our family travelling to Dubai UAE with their grandparents and cousins for vacations without their parents. The Airport authorities say it was 2 months back only that they implemented the rule of not allowing kids to travel with their relatives for vacations. The travel agency we booked said it’s manageable if we carry the necessary documents like the parent’s official consent letter, ” Nisha wrote in the post.
“It was her first international trip, totally disappointed … I accept … the worst feeling in the world is to see your child break down and cry for something you did out of carelessness,” she wrote.
Recounting the experience, Nisha told indianexpress.com: “Yes, her travel was denied despite producing the necessary documents. Both my husband and I were present to send her with my mother and sister.”
Previously, she had sent her son with her mother-in-law to Dubai for vacations, and “that time, there were no restrictions. I haven’t received my daughter’s airline ticket refund, either,” said Nisha.
While the family claimed that they produced the necessary documents, “even after multiple requests, the airport authorities didn’t allow our kid to board the flight. As parents, we could not travel with her on these dates because we had important commitments and couldn’t postpone them right away,” Nisha mentioned in the post.
“Posted it bcos it might help someone/some parent to be extra careful while planning for a trip for their kids,” the post read.
One user commented, “Last year we tried for my 13-year-old son. For him also not allowed. But we came to know before booking the tickets.”
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Taking a cue from the incident, let’s understand all about the travel safety of minors.
Colonel Rajgopalan, founder of Aviation Training India, explained the basic rules that prevent minors from travelling alone: “Kids below five years of age cannot travel alone. For those 5-12 years, it is possible to travel alone as an unaccompanied minor or after opting for a flying solo service, which is booked with some assistance. From 13-18, they can fly alone or use the unaccompanied minor or fly solo service.”
Here’s what to consider (Photo: Freepik)
Notably, an unaccompanied minor/child means a “minor/child” who is/are not accompanied by a companion aged eighteen (18) years or more, on the date of travel, according to Indigo Airlines. “Minor” is a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years and includes children above the age of two and below the age of twelve years. The age range is applicable as on the date of travel of the onward and return journey (if any under the same PNR).
In a bid to prevent child trafficking, all minors (below 18 years of age) travelling to the UAE, including Dubai, without their parents, like with some relatives, have to have an authorisation from their parents strictly. The rule came into effect on June 1, 2024, according to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners-Dubai (Immigration), which notified the same.
Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation expert and analyst, asserted that while travelling may be an exciting experience for minors or their parents, “it is a serious responsibility for airlines to ensure the minor’s safety while making their journey pleasant and memorable.”
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According to him, the age range, documentation, charges, policies, and level of assistance for minors may vary significantly among airlines and destination countries. Furthermore, “policies differ substantially” between domestic and international air travel in India, he said.
“In India, the age range for urban minors is typically five-12 years for domestic travel, whereas for international travel, it ranges from five-15/18 years, depending on the airline and destination,” said Vandekar.
Typically, the documents required are a valid photo ID, birth certificate, consent form signed by both parents or guardians, full contact details of the parent/guardians seeing off/receiving the urban minor at the origin/destination. Some airlines may require additional documentation like passport copies of parents, a medical certificate, a police certificate, indemnity, proof of vaccination, a valid passport, and visa.
Given the “varied requirements and policies among airlines, parents must thoroughly research and comply with their chosen airline’s policy and requirements”.
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“This must be done well before the travel date or at the time of booking to avoid travel denial due to incomplete documents. Parents must also inform the airline about any special requirements or needs of the urban minor,” said Vandekar.