Emirates staff member wanted bribe for excess luggage

A staff member of Emirates admits asking for a bribe to allow a passenger 27kg of excess baggage.

DUBAI // A female Emirates Airline staff member yesterday admitted  demanding money from a traveller whose luggage was 27 kilograms over  the limit.

"I needed the money to treat my ill mother," KM, a 32-year-old from Kenya, told the Dubai Criminal Court.

Prosecutors said that MA, a 33-year-old Kuwaiti armed forces officer, was heading to his home country on February 16 when he went to check in with 57kg of luggage - 27kg overweight.

"She told me I had to pay Dh1,500 for the excess weight," said the officer, adding that he asked if any discount was available.

"She told me to put Dh800 in an envelope after I had withdrawn the money from a nearby ATM," said the officer.

He said he put only Dh750 in the envelope, but did not receive a receipt and became suspicious. He then inquired about the procedure with police officers before boarding.

The officers then informed Emirates and the woman was questioned. She confessed and handed the envelope containing the money to her supervisor.

Her supervisor MN, a 32-year-old from Syria, said he received a call from a police officer informing him of the incident. "When I asked her she confessed and took out the money envelope from her handbag and gave it to me," he said.

Sentencing is expected on May 13.