Emirates Airline has announced temporary suspension of most of its passenger flights by 25th March 2020. Since the flare-up of COVID-19, Emirates and dnata have been amending the operations according to the regulatory directives and travel demand.
Emirates will be operating cargo flights while maintaining passenger flights as long as possible in order to help the passengers returning home during this difficult time as the number of travel bans, restrictions and country lockdowns around the globe increases. The airline will continue maintaining essential international air cargo links and deploying its fleet for the transport of fundamental goods including medical supplies across the world.
As a global network airline, we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot viably operate passenger services until countries re-open their borders, and travel confidence returns. By Wednesday 25 March, although we will still operate cargo flights which remain busy, Emirates will have temporarily suspended most of its passenger operations. We continue to watch the situation closely, and as soon as things allow, we will reinstate our services.”
HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group stated.
Upon the requests from governments and customers, Emirates will continue to operate flights to the following countries and territories as long as the borders remain open and there is demand: UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, USA and Canada.
Emirates Group has a strong balance sheet, and substantial cash liquidity, and we can, and will, with appropriate and timely action, survive through a prolonged period of reduced flight schedules, so that we are adequately prepared for the return to normality.”
Sheikh Ahmed assured.
Emirates Group has been monitoring the global situation closely while keeping in touch with the relevant authorities regularly. The airline has been taking all the necessary precautions, enhancing cleaning and disinfecting measures on all of its aircrafts departing Dubai, and working closely with airports to implement screening measures as well as providing the crews and airport teams with hand sanitizers and masks.
