Combating coronavirus: Emirates adds 3 flights to Manila; Etihad eyes gradual return to fuller schedule

Two major UAE carriers, Emirates and Etihad, are slowly adding new destinations for special flights with the aim of gradually returning to a fuller schedule when the situation improves.

On Thursday, Emirates said it will operate three more flights from Dubai to Manila next week, on April 20, 22 and 24. This follows two flights to Manila earlier this week.

Only citizens of the Philippines and those who meet the entry requirements of the destination will be allowed to board.

All passengers will be required to apply social distancing guidelines during their journey and wear their own masks when at the airport and on board the aircraft. Emirates' check-in counters will only process passengers holding confirmed bookings.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad also plans to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from May 1 to June 30, with the aim of gradually returning to a fuller schedule as and when the global situation improves.

Etihad is also continuing to operate a growing schedule of special passenger flights allowing foreign nationals in the UAE the opportunity to travel out of the country, and to carry essential belly-hold cargo such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. To date, the airline has also repatriated almost 600 UAE nationals on return services.

"We remain cautiously optimistic and will push ahead with our plans to resume normal flying, while striving to better serve and support our customers and our employees. While the intention is to assume a 'business as usual' approach to the restart of our operations, the aviation landscape has changed, and how it will look month by month is difficult to predict," said Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group.

"We are implementing a series of network-wide route and fleet efficiencies, while conducting an extensive brand study and trialing new service concepts in our guest experience proposition. We are also using this time to drive further internal improvements in the efficient use of automation and technology across all areas of the business, while maintaining productivity, creativity and quality," he said.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com