Emirates, Etihad Airways to resume transit flights as travel opens up

DUBAI (REUTERS): Emirates and Etihad Airways will resume some connection flights through their hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the United Arab Emirates eases coronavirus-related restrictions.

According to a press release, Dubai’s Emirates said that it would operate transit flights to 29 destinations in Asia, Europe, and North America by June 15.

Emirates further stated that it will also offer flights from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad for travelers who wish to connect onwards to other Emirates destinations from June 8.

From June 15, Emirates will offer transit services to Bahrain, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York JFK, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth, and Brisbane.  

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad said in a statement that it would carry transit passengers to 20 cities in Europe, Asia, and Australia from June 10.

The suspension was lifted late on Wednesday for UAE carriers, more than two months after the Gulf Arab state halted all passenger flights in March in order to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

It has since allowed a few, limited flights, while domestic restrictions such as the closure of shopping centres have been lifted.