DUBAI // The UAE is a country that plane spotters travel to at their own risk, said aviation enthusiasts who have appealed to authorities to gain a better understanding of their hobby.
Plane spotters cited several instances in Dubai and neighbouring emirates where hobbyists taking photographs of aircraft were asked to hand over memory cards by police or were taken to the police station. “The UAE is a very tricky country for plane spotting and there is always a risk of getting caught by the police,” said Julian Mittnacht, a spotter from Germany who has visited the Emirates for his hobby.
“Even in Dubai it’s not always tolerated to take pictures of aircraft landing, and I know spotters who were caught by police and asked to delete photos. But usually they are let off from the police station after a few hours.”
Taking photos in restricted areas can result in between one and three months in jail, or fines, according to UAE law.
Military buildings, palaces and courts have signs prohibiting photography. Some restricted areas do not have warning signs but police can ask people to stop taking pictures or video because the location is deemed sensitive, lawyers said.
“Obtaining any information from a critical location without permission is illegal in the UAE,” said Naseer Hashem, the lawyer representing the arrested British plane spotters.
“They were using a telescope and taking notes to identify planes. They did not take photographs of planes in Fujairah.
“We hope once authorities complete their investigation they will realise they were just practising a hobby.
“Of course, even if it’s a hobby, local laws must be respected.”
Appealing to the UAE authorities, Mr Mittnacht said: “We are just enthusiastic people interested in aviation and we love to travel. We never would spy at an airfield. I really hope authorities will not see us as a threat.”
Watching planes coming into Dubai airport is popular, with details available on the internet about car parks and rooftops that are vantage points. But plane-spotting websites also warn spotters that they could be subjected to security checks in Dubai, while Fujairah is often described as a no-go area.
Abu Dhabi is gaining popularity too because of Etihad’s vividly painted promotional aircraft, spotters said. Russian planes, cargo aircraft operating in Sharjah, and similar planes parked in Fujairah all appeal to enthusiasts.
“In Fujairah, the older planes are retired or parked, but it’s not recommended to go there because of high surveillance,” said one enthusiast.
“If you come out to the UAE to spot, you do it at your own risk,” said Sam C, a UAE plane spotter.
“Some say it’s OK, you can take photos, but you need permission from the airport and airlines.
“You can’t always argue that it’s a hobby and it’s innocent.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
