Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and its continuing impact on air travel services globally, Etihad Airways and Emirates airline will operate special chartered flights to Russia to ensure repatriation of Russian and UAE citizens.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has secured approval from the Russian Civil Aviation Authority to operate five special charter flights between Abu Dhabi and Moscow between Saturday and Wednesday.

The flights will aid in the repatriation of Russian and UAE citizens, as well as other nationals transiting through Abu Dhabi, to their home countries following the temporary suspension of services between the two cities due to current Covid-19 novel coronavirus travel restrictions.

The overnight flights will be operated by wide-body Boeing 787-9 and narrow-body Airbus A321 aircraft.

Only Russian citizens will be permitted to fly on the Abu Dhabi-Moscow sector, while non-Russian passengers of any nationality will be allowed to fly via Abu Dhabi from Moscow, provided there are connecting flights available, and no travel restrictions in place which impede entry to their end destinations. Only UAE citizens will be permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Flight EY 65 will depart Abu Dhabi at 2.15am for each of the charters, arriving in Moscow at 6.55am, while the return flight EY64 is scheduled to depart Moscow at 1.35am, arriving back in Abu Dhabi at 5.55am.

Due to the temporary suspension of air services between Russia and UAE, Emirates has also temporarily suspended its operations to Russia till June 30.

However, to facilitate the return of travelers whose journeys were disrupted, Emirates will operate selected charter flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg till March 29. Only Russian nationals will be allowed to travel on these special flights from Dubai to Moscow and St. Petersburg and the return Emirates flights will only be open to non-Russian nationals.

Travellers may contact their travel agents or local Emirates office to book these flights.

The UAE airlines continue to follow UAE and international government and regulatory authority directives and has implemented a series of consolidated network changes. This is also being carried out for the safety and convenience of its customers and staff, and to minimise operational disruption during this period.

Self-quarantine

GCC nationals wishing to enter the UAE should undergo Covid-19 medical test and place themselves under house quarantine for 14 days, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Friday.

Those who do not have their own residences in the UAE will be quarantined at designated places by the relevant authorities.

The new decision will come into effect at 10:00 am local UAE time on Saturday, 21st March, and will continue until further notice. This is part of precautionary and preventive measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The ministry also stated, “the quarantine procedures are set to protect the health of GCC nationals.”

In reference to the UAE’s announcement of a renewable two-week suspension of entry for valid residence permit holders, who are currently out of the country, that entered into effect at noon on Thursday, March 19, as part of preventive procedures amidst the spread of Covid-19 around the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has established a round-the-clock helplines to facilitate procedures.

Holders of valid residence permits overseas and their family members and first-degree relatives in the UAE can call the helplines 0097124965228 and 97192083344 for enquiries and assistance for humanitarian and emergency cases to ensure their safe return to the UAE, the Ministry said.

The Ministry explained that these measures were part of precautionary and preventive efforts taken by the UAE to contain the spread of Covid-19.