Unfair airline practices at Dubai Airport exploit Sri Lankan migrant workers

IN August 2025, while in transit at Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 flight no. UL226, departing time 23:00, I witnessed a troubling practice by SriLankan Airlines staff that left me both shocked and saddened. It was not just an inconvenience to passengers; it was an outright exploitation of Sri Lankan migrant workers the very people whose sacrifices and remittances keep our nation's economy afloat.

- BY MUHAMED RASALIE

On a recent SriLankan Airlines flight from Dubai to Colombo, passengers went through check-in as usual. At no point were their hand luggage items weighed, nor were they informed about possible penalties for exceeding the 7 kg allowance. There was also no mention that duty-free purchases might be included in this restriction. Passengers left the counter reassured, unaware of what awaited them later.

It was only at the boarding gate moments before departure that airline staff began weighing bags and announcing penalties. Suddenly, passengers were told that anything over 7 kg, including duty-free shopping, would incur additional charges. For many travellers, this meant paying unexpected fees at the very last minute, with little choice but to comply if they wished to board.

This selective and inconsistent enforcement is deeply unfair. According to SriLankan Airlines' own policy, passengers are entitled to an extra 2 kg allowance for duty-free items. Yet this was ignored. The staff's abrupt actions caused distress and humiliation for many travellers, particularly low-income Sri Lankan migrant workers.