jitendra sharma

[jitendra sharma @jitendra2198]

@tannisthadatta @UKinKenya Application no same as mentioned in the original post - GWF088384830

[jitendra sharma @jitendra2198]

@tannisthadatta @UKinKenya @UKinKenya is there any possible way we can reach to check the status of our son’s (minor) visa.

Really critical on timeline. Would highly appreciate any update

[Tannistha Datta @tannisthadatta]

@UKinKenya pl note visa application GWF088384830 for a minor is pending any update with other family members receiving approval for short term visitor visa applied on same date

[jitendra sharma @jitendra2198]

Method in madness is what was observed at Dubai airport #DXB on 28 Feb.

Travelling on Emirates EK511 & EK719 with a 2.5 hour transit time in Dubai, we were all set to start a new chapter in our lives at Nairobi. Even our 2 year old #GoldenRetriever was travelling along with us as excess baggage in the cargo hold.

30 mins before landing captain made an announcement that he had been asked to divert to #Muscat due to airspace restrictions.

That’s when I switched my inflight entertainment to the onboard live news feed only to realise that skies over Dubai were not safe and were in the middle of a war zone in a #Boeing777. There was stress and panic in the cabin and being a pilot myself, I can guess that cockpit environment would have been similar with additional pressure on the crew.
The captain, however, sounded composed when he next announced that a small window of safety was available and we were landing in #Dubai in 5 mins.

Post landing all transit passengers (including us) were seen rushing to their next gates for departure. Little did we know then that it was going to be a long day for us.

Soon all info boards displayed delays and eventually all flight operations were suspended. We, like others, were stranded in Dubai airport with visa and no idea of what was about to happen. As a first relief measure meal vouchers were dropped in via emails to all transit passengers and long queues were seen at eating joints.

That is when Emirates in conjunction with airport authorities and support staff took control of the situation.

Queues were organised, emergency Visas were issued to passengers in transit, accommodation was provided by airlines and multiple support and info spots were set up at the airport.

There was chaos but it seemed like the SOPs were in place and while the airline and airport staff was overwhelmed, they seem to know what they were doing.

Even amidst crisis humility and humanity prevailed, 10s of thousands of passengers were seen rushing without direction. Airport staff got separate queues for elderly and passengers with kids. We were travelling with a toddler along and were escorted to Emirates travel desk. Someone from the support team then guided us to a bus which dropped us to a hotel. I was amazed to see people with ‘Emirates support team’ vests even at the hotel reception.

We have been constantly checking on our Pet was on the same flight as us and multiple sources at Emirates have assured us that pets are being looked after well even amidst this ongoing crisis and bombs debris falling all over.

While everyone at the airlines and airport is overloaded with out of routine tasks, it feels that they know what they are doing. #DBX was hit (drone/bomb/debris I am not sure) but different contacts who could manage to get some unconfirmed info told us that Emirates has evacuated the airport including pets.

Hope we are able to fly to our destination soon.