DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct 6, (AP): A blind American traveler says a Dubai airline refused to allow him to fly because of his disability.
Zuhair Mahmoud says he was told by FlyDubai airline staff members that the carrier’s policies did not allow blind travelers to fly unless accompanied by someone else.
The airline’s chief executive said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the incident never should have happened and that the airline doesn’t discriminate against passengers with special needs. CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith says the airline plans a full investigation and is sorry for the incident.
The 37-year-old Mahmoud, of Arlington, Virginia, says he is staying with family in Dubai until he can catch another flight out to Jordan before heading back to the US.