Emirates extends flight suspension from Pakistan till July 28

Airline advises passengers whose flights had been affected by these restrictions to hold on to their ticket

ISLAMABD:

Emirates has extended the suspension of flights from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka till July 28 due to the travel ban imposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in view of the current Covid-19 situation.

“In line with UAE government directives, Emirates will be suspending the carriage of passengers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Dubai until 28 July 2021," said a statement released by the gulf carrier on Friday.

"Furthermore, passengers who have connected through Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE," it added.

According to the airline, UAE nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with updated Covid‑19 protocols are exempt from the restriction and may be allowed to travel.

Passengers whose flights had been affected by these restrictions could "simply hold on to [their] Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with us or [the] booking office to make new travel plans," the airline recommended.

On July 1, the UAE announced a travel ban on citizens to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa and Nigeria.

The foreign ministry and the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority stressed that, with the start of the travel season, citizens need to comply with all precautionary and preventive measures related to Covid-19, state news agency (WAM) reported.

"Cargo flights, as well as business and charter flights, would be exempted from the restrictions," the notification added.

The UAE had first announced the suspension of entry for travellers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka on national and foreign flights on May 12.