Family's dream trip thwarted by Emirates Airlines

WRONGFULLY REFUSED

- EDWIN LOMBARD

A 10-YEAR old boy had his dream dashed when he was refused entry on an Emirates Airlines flight to Abu Dhabi to watch the Formula 1 with his grandparents even though he had the right documentation.

What was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and year-long dream for Lola Clarke’s 10 year old grandson, to attend the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix with his grandmother, turned into a nightmare when he was wrongfully refused boarding by Emirates Airlines officials at the Cape Town International Airport, despite the family having obtained confirmation from the UAE Immigration offices that he did have a valid visa.

Lola Clark, a director of a property investment company, has now sent a letter of demand to the airline through her attorneys, Trudie Broekmann Attorneys. Emirates have, however, not responded to the demands. Clark insists that Emirates Airlines reimburse her for the expenses she had to incur as a result of their official’s wrongful refusal. Clark said her grandson was refused entry on flight EK 771 on 4th December last year by the Emirates Airlines flight supervisor in Cape Town.