ABU DHABI :The General Civil Aviation Authority has announced the start of “exceptional” flight operations at UAE airports, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports operating a limited number of commercial flights.
The move was to aid “stranded passengers affected by recent regional developments to depart, in line with the schedules to be announced by airlines to affected passengers and the relevant destinations”, according to the GCAA.
UAE airlines Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have since announced a series of updates for passengers, with a gradual reintroduction of flights following the complete closure of airspace in the country.
At a media briefing held on March 3, it was announced that 17,498 passengers have been returned on 60 flights; in the next phase, 80 flights a day will be operated from the UAE.
All airlines are stressing that passengers should not travel to the airports unless they are notified directly.
Here are the latest updates from UAE airlines regarding commercial passenger flights.
Etihad Airways
Etihad has announced that all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi will remain suspended until 2pm GST on March 5.
In a statement shared with The National, Etihad clarified that “some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in co-ordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals. Safety remains our absolute priority and services will operate only once all safety criteria are met.”
The airline’s most recent passenger guidance reads:
- Passengers should check their flight status at etihad.com before travelling to the airport.
- Ensure their contact details are up to date in their booking.
- Guests holding Etihad tickets issued on or before February 28, with original travel dates up to March 10, may rebook free of charge on to Etihad-operated flights up to March 31.
- Guests on all Etihad flights until March 10 may request a refund at http://etihad.com/en/help/refund-form or through their travel agent.
- Guests who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent directly. The National
