Emirates will operate repatriation flights to Bengaluru, Kochi, Delhi, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram from 20 until 31 August. The special flights will facilitate travel for Indian citizens in the UAE wishing to return home, and for residents of UAE currently in India to return to the UAE.
The airline will operate repatriation flights to India on the following dates:
- Bengaluru: 21, 23, 25, 28, and 30 August
- Kochi: 20, 22, 24, 27, 29 and 31 August
- Delhi: daily flights until 31 August
- Mumbai: daily flights until 31 August
- Thiruvananthapuram: 26 August
All flights will be operated with the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER and can be booked on emirates.com or via travel agents. Passengers must meet all the entry requirements of the destination to be allowed to board the flights.
Meanwhile, Etihad airlines is all set to resume flights from Abu Dhabi to three Indian cities. Starting Friday, 21 August, Etihad will provide services to Bengaluru, Delhi & Mumbai. Travellers can book tickets through Hala Travel Management, Etihad’s travel management arm. Tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Only residents from Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra will be permitted to travel back. Etihad Airways also launched free hand-baggage check in. Click here for more details.
Flights From Dubai To India
Only Indian citizens stranded in the UAE will be allowed to fly from Dubai to the five Indian destinations. Passengers departing from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports must produce a negative Covid-19 certificate prior to departure. The test must be done not more than 96 hours from the time of departure. Airlines will then collect the negative PCR test report at the check-in counter. The Covid test has now been made compulsory and a notice has been issued to all airlines. on that note, in case you’re planning to travel, here are 5 Destinations Under 6 Hours From The UAE That Are Now Welcoming Abu Dhabi Residents.
Meanwhile, Dubai residents can also enjoy a lavish holiday in Seychelles as Emirates Offers UAE Nationals & Residents A Quick Escape To The Island This Summer. Additionally, Emirates Also Promises Travelers A Free Funeral If Infected With Covid-19.
Flights From India To Dubai
Flights will be available for UAE nationals and residents with prior entry approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDFRA) for residents of Dubai and ICA approval for residents of other emirates of the UAE, and whose final destination is the UAE.
On that note, in case you’re travelling from India to UAE, here’s Your Ultimate 7-Step Guide To PCR Test & Approvals. In addition, Residents Returning To UAE Must Receive A ‘GREEN’ ICA Message.
Flights To/From Pakistan
Emirates has also revised its flight timings to/from Sialkot, Pakistan to offer customers better connections via Dubai with seven weekly flights – providing greater access to its current network of 75 cities across six continents. Effective 22 August, Emirates flight EK 618 will depart Dubai at 20:55 hrs and arrive in Sialkot at 1:10 hrs. The return flight, EK 619 will depart Sialkot at 2:40 hrs and arrive in Dubai at 5:00 hrs.
In addition to Sialkot, Emirates offers customers direct flights to four other cities in Pakistan including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar.
Ensuring the safety of travellers, visitors, and the community, COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.
Passengers Departing From UAE Must Produce A Covid-19 Negative Certificate
Passengers departing from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports must produce a Covid-19 negative certificate prior to departure. The test must be done not more than 48 hours from the time of departure. Airlines will then collect the negative PCR test report at the check-in counter. The Covid test has now been made compulsory and a notice has been issued to all airlines. on that note, in case you’re planning to travel, here are 5 Destinations Under 6 Hours From The UAE That Are Now Welcoming Abu Dhabi Residents.
Children under the age of 12 and people with disabilities are exempt from the test. Besides, travellers must check rules before departure, as it may differ from state to state. Travellers must also fill in a health declaration form available online or from the Hala travel consultants.
Rules For Passengers Departing From Abu Dhabi
Passengers leaving Abu Dhabi also need to show a negative Covid certificate. However, only two airlines have made the rules mandatory. Passengers leaving Abu Dhabi via Etihad must have a Covid-19 PCR test before you depart. The test can be done at any government accredited medical facility a maximum of 96-hours before your flight departure time. However, Abu Dhabi Residents No Longer Need Entry Permit To Return To The UAE.
Only passengers who carry the Covid negative certificate will be permitted to fly. Travellers must print the results and submit the same during check-in. Similarly, Air India Express issued a notice to its passengers departing from Abu Dhabi. Travellers leaving Abu Dhabi via Air India Express need Covid-19 negative test result within 96-hours of departure. The new rule will be effective from 21 August.
Residents Returning To UAE Must Receive A ‘GREEN’ ICA Message
On another note, residents returning to the UAE have a host of requirements. However, the most important ones are a negative PCR test result and checking the validity of travel on a the ICA website. UAE government urges residents to check these prior to departure. The advice comes after some residents were reportedly stranded at Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports on 17 August.
In addition, authorities also urged travellers to check the validity of their documents on the ICA website. Most residents received a green message, giving them a go-ahead for travel. However, a few others received a red message which read: “We will consider the possibility of rescheduling your travel date after 60 days to preserve your safety. We thank, and appreciate your understanding.” Passengers stranded at the airport were expected to have received the red message.