Emirates resumes flights to 9 cities from 21 May
Dubai, May 13 (efe-epa).- Emirates airline on Wednesday announced it would resume commercial flights to Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia starting 21 May while adhering to the health protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Flights will resume to Madrid, London, Paris, Frankfurt and Milan in Europe, and Chicago (US), Toronto (Canada) and Sidney and Melbourne (Australia), the UAE flagship airline said.
The airline will also offer connections in Dubai for passengers who are travelling between the United Kingdom and Australia, as long as they respect the hygiene measures in place aimed at preventing the spread of the novel virus.
“Travellers will only be accepted on these flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries,” the airlines said in a statement.
The company has adopted “additional measures” at airports to ensure social distancing rules and implement disinfection protocols, according to Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer.
“Emirates’ cabin crew, boarding agents and ground staff who interact directly with travellers will don personal protective equipment (PPE) including a protective disposable gown and safety visor,” the airline added.
Among the precautionary measures adopted, magazines and print reading material will not be available during the flights, cabin baggage has to be checked-in and passengers can only bring “essential items” such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items on board.
The airline suspended flights upon request by the government in late March, although it operated repatriation flights for those wanting to return to their countries of origin.
On 15 April, Emirates became the first airline to run Covid-19 tests on all passengers before boarding a flight between Dubai and Tunis.
The coronavirus first came to light in China in December and has since been spreading around the world.
