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.
And in case you’re worried about heading to the test centre for the Covid test, Etihad Airways Has Launched ‘Contactless’ Method To Test For Covid-19.
Passengers Departing From UAE Must Produce A Covid-19 Negative Certificate
Passengers departing from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports must produce a coves 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.