Etihad to start operating inbound flights for UAE residents

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has announced that it will begin operating inbound flights for UAE residents starting Saturday, May 9.

The limited one-way flights from 12 cities including London, Singapore and Manila will help residents return to the country, the airline said on its website.

All the flights have been approved by the UAE government.

Before booking, UAE residents must apply for ICA approval via the UAE Twajudi resident service, available at the Ministry Foreign Affairs website (MoFAIC.gov.ae).

If the application is successful, residents will receive a unique ICA approval number, which will have to be provided to Etihad when booking the ticket.

The airline stressed that only those with a valid UAE residence visa and ICA approval number will be permitted to enter the UAE.

Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, all passengers will be subject to Covid-19 testing (PCR test) and thermal testing and are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

“We’re working closely with authorities to continue these types of operations,” the airline said.

Inbound flights schedule:

Amsterdam: May 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29
Barcelona: May 14, 17, 24 and 31
Frankfurt: May 17, 24 and 31
Jakarta: May 15 and 29
Kuala Lumpur: May 23 and 30
London: May 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30
Manila: May 13, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29 and 30
Melbourne: May 13, 20 and 27
Seoul: May 22 and 29
Singapore: May 20 and 27
Tokyo: May 20 and 27
Toronto: May 12

Strict measures in place

Etihad stressed that it has implemented an extensive sanitisation and safety programme on board, at the airport and across its complimentary airport transfer services.

It also recommended that passengers wear a face mask while travelling.

On board, the airline said it will make sure passengers are seated with “as much space as possible between every guest”, and will offer food and drinks service in line with Covid-19 guidelines.

Upon landing, following temperature screening, passengers will be asked to wait two metres apart from other guests at all queuing points.

If the journey time from the airport coincides with curfew hours in the UAE, passengers will be required to present booking confirmation or ticket.

Etihad Airways has been operating repatriation services so far, but aims to gradually begin regular passenger flights from May 16, depending on regulatory measures issued by authorities.

The UAE suspended all regular international passenger flights in March to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad extends suspension of flights until May 16

Other UAE airlines including flydubai and Air Arabia have also started opening return bookings on their websites.

Read: Air Arabia, flydubai open return flight bookings from UAE