Emirates says flight ban from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in place until July 21

Dubai airline Emirates has confirmed that the suspension of flights from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will remain in place at least until July 21.

In a statement on its website, the carrier 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 21 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.

Flights from India to the UAE were originally suspended from April 24 due to the massive surge in Covid-19 infection in the Asian nation.

Meanwhile flights from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka were also suspended on May 13.

Media reports late last month had cited the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority as saying that flights from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will remain suspended until 11.59pm on July 21, 2021.

Etihad Airways also said that flights from India to Abu Dhabi will remain suspended until July 21.

Read more: Flights from India to Abu Dhabi to remain suspended until July 21 – Etihad