UAE based airlines Emirates and Etihad have announced flights to 49 countries across the world, including Asia, Europe, Australia. UAE government has recently decided to open international airports for limited international flights, including flights for transit, repatriation of foreigners, and return of UAE citizens and residents.
Emirates will cover 29 cities, whereas Etihad is ready to fly to 20 destinations across the world. Both airlines will be connecting 49 cities in total in the coming ten days.
Currently, Emirates has the route to 9 cities, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney, and Melbourne. From 15 June, the Emirates airline will be covering 29 cities including Bahrain, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York JFK, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth, Brisbane, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne, Manila, Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Etihad’s existing route includes 11 destinations: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London Heathrow, Madrid, Milan, Paris, and Zurich. However, it will expand its route to 20 countries: Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Brussels. Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London Heathrow, Madrid, Milan, Paris Charles de aulle and Zurich.
The government of UAE has already permitted its four airlines Emirates, Etihad, Fly Dubai, and Air Arabia to start transit flights service from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Airports. People can go to 49 countries by using this transit service. Passengers must contact the embassy of their final destination country to know the latest entry requirements before booking any airline ticket. Airlines won’t allow any passenger to board unless they meet the entry requirements of the final destination country.
Emirates airline is ready and has announced to start outbound flights from Pakistan to Dubai from 8 June. It won’t carry any passenger from Dubai to Pakistan; instead, it would carry cargo only. However, it will bring stranded UAE residency visa holders from three airports of Pakistan to Dubai. Initially, it will start weekly 14 flights; a daily flight from Karachi airport, five from Lahore, and two from Islamabad international airport.
Emirates flights from Pakistan to Dubai are some kind of special flights; these are not regular passenger flights. Therefore, new visa holders and new travelers would not be allowed to travel. Pakistani citizens holding a residency visa of UAE must have to apply for an entry permit at the official website of the UAE government. They should not book flight tickets until/unless they get approval for an entry permit. Tickets are available at the official website of Emirates airline.
News Source: Khaleej Times and Gulf News