Emirates to operate flights from UK to Dubai for stranded UAE citizens and residents

Dubai airline Emirates will operate flights from the UK to Dubai to fly back UAE citizens and residents stranded in the country.

“From February 2, 2021, we will operate passenger flights to Dubai from London Heathrow and Manchester,” the airline said in an update on its website.

“Customers seeking to leave the UK on these services should ensure that they are authorised to travel under the latest UK government rules, and meet the travel requirements of their final destination.”

The UK banned all direct passenger flights to and from the UAE from Friday, January 29, to contain the spread of a new strain of the Covid-19 virus which was identified in South Africa.

There would be no exemptions to the directive, including for business travel, the UK’s Department of Transport said.

British and Irish nationals and third-country nationals with residence rights in the UK will be able to enter the UK, but they are required to self-isolate for 10 days at home, along with their household members.

While direct flights from the UAE are banned, British nationals can use indirect commercial routes to return to the UK, officials said.

Read: Covid-19: UK indefinitely bans all passenger flights from UAE starting January 29

Following the UK’s announcement, the UAE said it would extend visit visas for free for all British travellers affected by the travel ban.

The country will “maintain its role as an important travel and logistics hub while adhering to the highest standards of health and safety”, official news agency WAM reported.