Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, announced the extension of the suspension of passenger flights with a number of countries around the world.
Thus, passenger flights from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will not be operated until July 31, 2021. Exceptions will be made for UAE citizens, diplomats and holders of “golden” visas – they will be able to continue their travels subject to a number of conditions, including after presenting negative results of a PCR test for COVID-19 (its shelf life is 48 hours).
Previously, Dubai-based airline Emirates extended the suspension of flights to South Africa and Nigeria and back until July 31. Meanwhile, the airline will continue to operate daily flights from Dubai to Johannesburg (EK763). Passengers who have traveled to South Africa or Nigeria in the past 14 days will not be allowed on Emirates flights to Dubai from third countries.
Since July 11, the UAE has stopped accepting passenger flights from Indonesia and Afghanistan. The restrictions affected both Emirati and foreign air carriers. Air passengers who have visited one of these countries in the last 14 days are also not allowed on the territory of the UAE.
Transit and cargo flights operate as usual. Meanwhile, UAE citizens and their closest relatives, diplomats and members of official delegations, businessmen and holders of “gold” and “silver” UAE visas can travel – after obtaining prior permits.
To board, passengers from these categories must provide a negative PCR test for COVID-19 – its shelf life is 48 hours, and also pass PCR tests at the airport of arrival, on the fourth and eighth days of stay in the UAE. Travelers will be quarantined for 10 days upon arrival.
On July 4, passenger flights between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were suspended in order to prevent the spread of new strains of COVID-19. All passengers arriving in Saudi Arabia after the entry into force of the ban are placed in mandatory quarantine.
Earlier, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the United Arab Emirates also extended the ban on receiving passenger flights from several countries of the world until July 21, 2021. The list includes, in particular, Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Zambia, Vietnam. The ban does not apply to business aviation and cargo flights.