Following the suspension of flight operations due to Covid-19, Emirates has been granted permission to carry passengers on certain flights. Beginning Monday 6 April 2020, the first flights from Dubai to Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Paris, Zurich and Brussels will begin. The frequency is four flights per week to London Heathrow, and three flights per week to the other airports.
The flights will operate from Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 2 until further notice, and will only carry return passengers from the United Arab Emirates. The airline will use Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on these routes in a two-class configuration of business class and economy class. In both directions, Emirates will transport sub-deck cargo to support the economy and society with the transport of important goods.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group stated, “While these first passenger flights are limited to return e-travellers who meet the current entry requirements of their destinations, they are not used by all our customers who want to return to their home countries and their families. We would like to thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates and all our partners for their support in ensuring smooth flight operations.”
“We hope to resume full flight operations as soon as possible, but recognise the challenges many cities face in dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak. Our route network can only be restored by easing travel restrictions,” he added. “We are in close contact with all authorities to obtain the latest information. We are working closely with the authorities to resume operations, keeping an eye on the safety and well-being of our crew and passengers at every step. We are continuously assessing the situation and will announce additional flights as soon as they are established.”
For health and safety reasons, Emirates will offer an adapted service programme on these flights. Journals and other printed reading material will not be available. Food and beverages will continue to be offered on board, but the packaging and presentation will be changed to reduce contact during the service. Emirates Lounges and Emirates Chauffeur Service will be temporarily unavailable during this period. All Emirates aircraft in Dubai are undergoing increased cleaning and disinfection after each trip.
Flights can be booked online on www.emirates.com. When entering the country, travel restrictions are in place and customers are urged to check the entry criteria before their flight.
