Dubai’s Emirates to resume scheduled passenger flights starting next week

Dubai carrier Emirates will operate scheduled passenger flights to nine destinations starting May 21, subject to government approval.

The destination cities spread across eight countries include London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne, the airline announced on May 13.

The airline will also offer connections in Dubai for customers travelling between the UK and Australia.

These flights will be available for booking on the airline’s website.

Emirates to resume scheduled passenger flights to 9 cities in 8 countries, including connections between the UK and Australia via @DXB from 21 May 2020. #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter https://t.co/MWcsZYsdVL pic.twitter.com/4LQJy3hwUE

— Emirates Airline (@emirates) May 13, 2020

However, travellers will only be accepted on the aforementioned flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries. This also includes an approval from the Federal Authority for Identify and Citizenship (ICA) for UAE residents who wish to return to Dubai.

Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ chief operating officer said: “We are pleased to resume scheduled passenger services to these destinations, providing more options for customers to travel from the UAE to these cities, and also between the UK and Australia. We are working closely with the authorities to plan the resumption of operations to additional destinations. We have implemented additional measures at the airport in coordination with the relevant authorities in respect to social distancing and sanitisation. The safety and well-being of our employees, customers and communities, remain our top priority.”

Additionally, Emirates will also continue to collaborate with embassies and consulates to facilitate repatriation flights for visitors and residents wishing to return home.

This week, the airline plans to operate flights from Dubai to Tokyo Narita (May 15), Conakry (May 16), and Dakar (May 16), subject to government approval.

The UAE suspended all international flights in March to contain the spread of Covid-19, but has permitted repatriation flights to operate.

On April 22, Emirates confirmed that it would resume regular operations “as soon as conditions allow”.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates says will resume services ‘as soon as conditions allow’

Meanwhile, the airline has already beefed up its precautionary measures in preparation of the aforementioned scheduled flights.

At Dubai International airport, customers and employees will have their temperatures checked via thermal scanners while protective barriers have been installed at check-in counters to provide additional safety during interaction.

Gloves and masks have been made mandatory for all customers and employees at the airport. In addition, Emirates’ cabin crew, boarding agents and ground staff who interact directly with travellers will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) which include a protective disposable gown and safety visor.

Social distancing protocols will be implemented which include physical indicators being placed on the ground and at waiting areas in the airport to ensure travellers maintain a safe distance.

Emirates will offer a modified in-flight service which entails that magazines and print reading material will not be available during this time. Cabin baggage have to be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items on board.

Emirates has activated a stringent safety programme to ensure the cleanliness of its aircraft cabins which have been fitted with advanced HEPA air filters that remove 99.97 per cent of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens and germs from cabin air.

After its journey and on landing in Dubai, each aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure safety and proper sanitation.

Earlier this week, the Emirates Group reported a Dhs1.7bn ($456m) net profit for the financial year ended March 31, 2020, down 28 per cent over last year.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates Group reports 28% drop in full year profit