Emirates says flight ban from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka extended to Aug 7

Dubai airline Emirates has again pushed the start of passenger flights from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The carrier announced on Wednesday, July 28 that flights from the four countries will remain suspended until August 7.

“In line with UAE government directives, Emirates will be suspending the carriage of passengers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Dubai until 7 August 2021,” it said.

“Furthermore, 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.”

The airline added that 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.

Emirates also stressed that passengers whose flights have been cancelled or impacted by route suspensions due to Covid‑19 restrictions, can hold on to their tickets and when flights resume, they can get in touch with Emirates to change the booking.

“Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused,” it stated.

The ban on flights from the four nations has been extended several times in the last few weeks. Flights from India to the UAE were originally suspended from April 24 due to the surge in Covid-19 infection in the country. Meanwhile flights from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka were suspended on May 13.