Abu Dhabi - The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi worked with local authorities to facilitate passage of Americans despite the existing suspension of flights.
Published: Sat 28 Mar 2020, 10:15 AM
Updated: Sat 28 Mar 2020, 12:21 PM
On Friday, March 27 night, 25 US citizens including children, who were unable to travel back due to Covid-19 restrictions, were repatriated from Abu Dhabi on a special flight.
The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi worked with local authorities to facilitate passage of Americans despite the existing suspension of flights.
The US citizens flew on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport, John Rakolta Jr., the US Ambassador to the UAE said.
"The mission worked with our Emirati partners to facilitate the repatriation of 25 US citizens, including four children, to the United States," he said.
The ambassador recognised the generosity of the UAE government, who made available a special Etihad Airways flight to provide safe return of the Americans.
"There is no greater duty for a US embassy than the protection of US citizens abroad. The Embassy of the United States in the UAE is deeply grateful to Etihad Airways for facilitating the repatriation of US citizens who were unable to travel due to the coronavirus outbreak."
Rakolta Jr and wife Terry Rakolta met the Americans at the airport to wish them safe travel home.
This is however an exceptional gesture as the UAE has suspended all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of passengers till April 7.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
Ashwani Kumar
Ashwani Kumar is a versatile journalist who explores every beat in Abu Dhabi with an insatiable curiosity. He loves uncovering stories that are informative and help readers form their own opinions.
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