Picture used for illustration.

Emirates airline have extended the validity of existing ticket for up to 24 months, due to the Coronavirus pandemic that has plunged the world.

Customers eligible for this are those that are booked their tickets before 31 May to travel on or before 31 August 2020.

Flyers are implored to place a call to Emirates whenever they are ready to fly.

Another available service is the ‘keep your ticket option.’

Customers can decided to keep their tickets and Emirates will extend its validity to 24 months from the date of its original booking.

“You don’t have to call us if you have a cancelled booking. We’ve now extended the validity of your ticket for up to 24 months so you can just call us to reschedule your flight whenever you’re ready to travel again,” it added.

The airline is also planning to operate passenger services to Jakarta, Manila, Taipei, Chicago, Tunis, Algiers and Kabul in addition to the already commenced operation to London and Frankfurt. These services will facilitate residents and visitors wishing to return home.

Passengers will be able to book directly on emirates.com or via their travel agent. Only citizens of the destination country and those who meet the entry requirements will be allowed to board. Passengers will be required to comply with each country’s requirement.

Customers will be required to follow all health and safety measures required by the UAE authorities and the country of destination.

During this time, there will be no online check in and seat selection available and services such as chauffeur drive and lounge will not be available in any of the destinations.

Cabin baggage will not be accepted on these flights. Carry-on items allowed in the cabin will be limited to laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items. All other items have to be checked in, and Emirates will add the cabin baggage allowance to customers’ check-in baggage allowance.

Passengers are required to apply social distancing guidelines during their journey and wear their own masks when at the airport and on board the aircraft.  Travellers should arrive at Dubai International airport Terminal 3 for check-in, three hours before departure. Emirates’ check-in counters will only process passengers holding confirmed bookings to the above destinations.

All Emirates aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each journey.