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File photo used for illustrative purpose

File photo used for illustrative purpose

UAE airlines: Entry barred for India-bound transit passengers from UK

Dubai - The suspension of UK-India flight officially starts today (December 23).

Published: Wed 23 Dec 2020, 4:19 PM

Updated: Wed 23 Dec 2020, 4:23 PM

  • By
  • Dhanusha Gokulan

India-bound transit passengers from the UK, wishing to fly via the UAE, will not be allowed to enter India, Khaleej Times has learnt.

Starting today until December 31, all passengers coming from or transiting through the UK will not be permitted to enter India, amid fears of the new Covid-19 strain that shut down London.

UAE carriers Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines have also informed its transit passengers that they cannot fly to India via the UAE, according to an updated list of travel protocols.

UAE-Maharashtra flights: 7-day institutional quarantine mandatory for passengers

In a statement to Khaleej Times, a spokesperson from Etihad Airways said: “Several countries have banned flights from the UK after the country has reported a new variant of the Covid-19 virus. India-bound passengers from the UK are not allowed to board the flights as Indian has imposed restrictions on flights from the UK.”

Similarly, Emirates airlines said: “Effective December 23 and until December 31, passengers originating in or transiting through the United Kingdom, including those who land in Dubai bound for India will not be permitted entry to India.”

Considering the prevailing situation in the UK, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday announced that the government has decided to suspend all flights originating from the UK until December 31. The suspension of UK-India flight officially started today (December 23).

In case a passenger from the UK enters India via any transit hub, they will be subject to a 14-day mandatory institutional quarantine in the state of Maharashtra, said Sukishini Paghare, deputy collector (land acquisition branch), Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), in an interview with Khaleej Times.

The status of UK-based passengers arriving in other states across the country is yet to be ascertained.

India’s flag carrier Air India is offering affected passengers a one-time free reschedule option that can be completed anytime before December 31, including passengers from the UK.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com



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