Emirates, Etihad to restart transit flights to India, Europe, Australia and North America, Qatar Airways adds more

In the wake of United Arab Emirates’s decision to remove suspension on services that stop off in the country for passengers to change planes or for refueling, Emirates and Etihad Airways have decided to restart transit flights,a report by Reuters said.

Dubai’s Emirates, one of the world’s biggest long-distance airlines, said on Thursday it would operate transit flights to 29 destinations in Asia, Europe and North America by June 15.

At the same time,Abu Dhabi’s Etihad, said it would carry transit passengers to 20 cities in Europe, Asia and Australia from June 10. After the halting of more than two months due to Covid-19,UAE has lifted the suspension for native carriers on Wednesday. Since then it permitted handful of limited flights to operate.

Mean while, ban on Foreign citizens who require UAE government approval before returning and except those holding UAE residence visa will continue.

Qatar Airways also said on Thursday it was now flying over 170 weekly flights to over 40 destinations, after announcing in May it would run operations to up to 80 destinations by the end of June, a report said.

The airline has carried out transit flights to around 30 destinations since March, with Qatar also banning foreign citizens from entering.