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Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

In a major set back to passengers, the India-UAE flights would remain suspended till July 21.

The suspension was extended from July 6 to July 21, citing the new COVID variant and spike in cases in the country.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said flights from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lnaka, Nepal and some African nations, would be suspended till the 11:59pm of July 21.

The decision exempts cargo, chartered flights, and special flights.

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The flights were supposed to operate from June 24, but the suspension was extended till July 6.

Now the GCAA states that it will remain suspended till July 21. The aviation authority will issue statement based on the latest developments.

Earlier , the health experts and aviation authorities have clarified that only passengers with a valid residence visa who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine, are allowed to travel to Dubai from India.

This part of the government’s keenness to protect passengers and ease hassles for them without compromising on COVID-19 precautionary measures put in place to safeguard everyone’s health and wellbeing.

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The UAE authorities have approved the Covishield vaccine for Indian travellers. The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is being sold in India under the brand name Covishield.

Following are the vaccines approved by the UAE:

-Sinopharm

-Sputnik V

-AstraZeneca (Covishield)

-Pfizer-Biontech