Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways said on Monday that effective immediately only citizens of the United Arab Emirates or diplomats will be able to board its flights from overseas destinations and only if their final destination is Abu Dhabi, the airline said on twitter.

Travel Update: Effective immediately, passengers departing from international destinations will only be allowed to travel if they are UAE citizens or diplomatic passport holders, and only if their final destination is Abu Dhabi. (1/3) — Etihad (@etihad) March 23, 2020



The move comes as the UAE announced it is suspending all passenger flights for two weeks from Wednesday to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The UAE suspended all passenger and transit flights to and from the country for two weeks over coronavirus fears, state news agency WAM reported on Sunday citing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.

The news agency added that the decision will take effect after 48 hours and will last for two weeks, subject to review and evaluation.

In the statement, the CAA said cargo and emergency evacuation flights would be exempt, taking into consideration all the precautionary measures adopted as per the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Etihad adding cargo routes

Etihad previously said it was expanding its cargo network to markets where passenger operations have decreased due to the coronavirus epidemic.

About half of all air cargo carried worldwide normally flies in passenger jets but the grounding of those planes due to the coronavirus outbreak is driving freighter demand.

Coronavirus has hit the aviation industry badly across the world, as countries rush to close borders in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.

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Coronavirus: UAE suspends all passenger, transit flights to and from the country

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 14:06 - GMT 11:06