Britons told they face arrest if they drink on Dubai flights

TOURISTS heading to Dubai have been told they could face arrest if they consume alcohol on the flight to the Middle East.

The British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates posted the warning on its Facebook page, weeks after a mother was detained in Dubai after a complimentary in-flight glass of wine.

Tourists in Dubai can only drink alcohol in hotels or licensed premises.

The embassy said: “If caught carrying or drinking alcohol without a licence, or with alcohol in your blood, you can be arrested.

“It is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public – including when transiting through the UAE. It can result in custodial sentences and/or a fine.”

The Facebook post appeared to be part of a series on the “UK in UAE” page about consular matters.

Ellie Holman, a Swedish dentist who lives in Sevenoaks, Kent, with her English partner Gary and their three children, was detained on July 13.

She had drunk one glass of wine on her eight-hour Emirates flight to Dubai from London. The charges were later dropped.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, the human rights group, said that in the light of the warning, “we will be contacting all airlines who transit to or through the UAE to clarify their position on serving alcohol to passengers”.

She added: “Either the UAE will need to reform their laws urgently, or the airlines will need to update their policy to ensure the safety of customers.”