Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Passenger Fined Rs 53k After Being Denied Qatar Airways Flight to Dubai
A woman named Sampa Kabwela wanted to fly from London to Dubai and then to Afghanistan.
When she tried to check in for her Qatar Airways flight, the airline staff said she needed a special paper called a UAE visa to land in Dubai, even though she was just passing through and wouldn't leave the airport.
She tried to explain that she didn't need one for a quick stopover, but the airline staff wouldn't listen.
By the time they finally checked with Dubai immigration, who confirmed she didn't need a visa, her plane had already started boarding.
Because she couldn't get on that flight, the airline charged her a lot of money, about Rs 53,000, for not showing up.
She was very upset and said she would never fly with Qatar Airways again.
Passenger Sampa Kabwela was allegedly denied boarding a Qatar Airways flight from London to Dubai at Heathrow Airport.
Airline staff reportedly insisted Kabwela needed a UAE visa for her transit, despite her explaining it was not required for a short layover.
Dubai immigration later confirmed to Kabwela that she did not need a visa for her transit.
By the time she was cleared, the flight had already progressed too far in boarding, and she missed it.
Kabwela was subsequently charged £457 (approx. Rs 53,000) by Qatar Airways for a 'no show'.
- Who
- Sampa Kabwela, a passenger, and Qatar Airways staff
- What
- Passenger Sampa Kabwela was allegedly stopped from boarding her Qatar Airways flight to Dubai and subsequently fined £457 (approx. Rs 53,000) for a 'no show' after being told she needed a UAE visa for a transit.
- When
- The incident occurred on November 6, 2025
- Where
- Heathrow Airport, London
- Why
- Kabwela claimed that airline officials insisted she needed a UAE visa for a transit to Kabul, despite her explaining that a visa was not required for a short layover without leaving the airport. She was eventually cleared by Dubai immigration but had missed her flight.
- Passenger Name
- Sampa Kabwela
- Airline
- Qatar Airways
- Origin Airport
- Heathrow Airport (London)
- Destination
- Dubai (Transit to Kabul)
- Alleged Issue
- Denied boarding due to perceived UAE visa requirement for transit
- Fine Amount
- £457 (approx. Rs 53,000)
- Reason for Fine
- No show