Muscat international transit from KLM to BA on separate tickets
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 267
Muscat international transit from KLM to BA on separate tickets
If arriving into MCT on KLM service from AMS, I assume it would be possible to transfer to the BA flight from MCT-AUH without clearing immigration or customs, correct? Are they both in the same air-side area of the airport? I just want to be sure I don't have to clear immigration/customs or deal with buying a visa to transfer to the separate MCT-AUH BA flight. Since this would be on 2 separate tickets that aren't connected in any way, would this hinder me in any way in the eyes of the Omani authorities? Also, if I do not have the ability to do online check-in prior to landing in Muscat for the BA flight, will it be possible to print a boarding pass or speak to a BA agent without clearing immigration and visiting the typical non-airside (Oman side) check-in counter? Would I be able to proceed to the gate to receive my boarding pass or would security not allow this since they would want to see a boarding pass prior to allowing access to the BA gate area? Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated if you have transited Muscat from another airline to BA for an onward journey.
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but if the worst case scenario occurs and I would have to clear immigration to reach the BA counter to receive a boarding pass, wouldn't this possibly prevent me from reentering Oman a few days later since they might not issue two Visa On Arrival stamps back to back within a few days of one another? (being a single entry only visa purchased upon arrival)
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but if the worst case scenario occurs and I would have to clear immigration to reach the BA counter to receive a boarding pass, wouldn't this possibly prevent me from reentering Oman a few days later since they might not issue two Visa On Arrival stamps back to back within a few days of one another? (being a single entry only visa purchased upon arrival)
#2
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
I've heard before that the transit staffs are very helpful and have collected bags for people and printed out onward boarding passes. 99% certain you won't have to clear immigration. Also, no issues if you do clear immigration if you re enter after a few days.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 267
I wonder if BA has someone operating a formal transit desk that can check-in a passenger air-side (no checked bags) at MCT or only re-print a boarding pass of a passenger that has already checked in? Hopefully I can get "checked in" and have my boarding pass ready to go in America or in Europe prior to landing in the Gulf. I'm just planning for the worst-case possibility and hoping to avoid any "double visa" issues trying to re-enter Oman later. Since this is a separate ticket, I just want to make sure the Omani authorities won't question the fact that it isn't part of another itinerary originating elsewhere, disqualifying it as a legal transfer that can happen outside of immigration. I want to avoid passing through immigration if at all possible both due to time constraints and fear of not being granted a second visa when returning to Oman a few days later, when I actually would want to enter (not just transiting).
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 267
I concur after visiting that the transfer staff is very helpful and I had no problem with them printing my onward BA boarding pass at the transfer desk. Be careful with electronic boarding passes in Muscat since this seems to throw the front-line security and immigration people for a loop. Also, they seem to have issues scanning them even when they try at some checkpoints. I got by with an electronic boarding pass (after being persistent and making them continue retrying scanning it) on one of my journeys through Muscat but I HIGHLY recommend you not risk it and get a printed copy to make your journey through security and exit controls easier.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1,731
Hmm.Muscat immigration depends on your country of passport and ethnicity! White European no issues whatsoever. I caused upset by suggesting that they might wish to deal with arrivals in order rather than by ethnicity and mode of arrival (having arrived in 1st from BA).
#7
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 1
I concur after visiting that the transfer staff is very helpful and I had no problem with them printing my onward BA boarding pass at the transfer desk. Be careful with electronic boarding passes in Muscat since this seems to throw the front-line security and immigration people for a loop. Also, they seem to have issues scanning them even when they try at some checkpoints. I got by with an electronic boarding pass (after being persistent and making them continue retrying scanning it) on one of my journeys through Muscat but I HIGHLY recommend you not risk it and get a printed copy to make your journey through security and exit controls easier.
Thank you!