UAE extends ban on passenger flights from SL and others in region

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended its ban on passenger flights from Sri Lanka as well as several other South Asian nations. 

According to an announcement by Emirates Airline, flights from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will remain suspended until 25 July. Separately, Etihad said passenger flights from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are suspended until 31 July.

In a statement on its website, Emirates also stated that passengers who have connected through India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE. 

“In line with UAE Government directives, Emirates will be suspending the carriage of passengers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Dubai until 25 July 2021,” it stated.

“UAE nationals, holders of UAE golden visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with updated COVID-19 protocols are exempt and may be accepted for travel,” it added.

The airline also stressed that those whose flights had been cancelled or impacted by route suspensions due to COVID-19 restrictions can hold on to the tickets until flights resume.

“Our contact centres are experiencing a greater volume of calls than anticipated. If your call is not related to travel within the next 48 hours, please consider calling back later,” it added.

According to Gulf News, flights from India to the UAE were originally suspended from 24 April due to the massive surge in COVID-19 infection in the Asian nation. Flights from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka were also suspended on 13 May.