UAE Government suspends all passenger services.
Emirates and Etihad have both announced the temporary global suspension of all passenger flights, in accordance with a Government directive which will see both carriers effectively grounded from 23:59 UAE local time on 25 March 2020.
All inbound, outbound and transit passenger flights in the United Arab Emirates are being cancelled to limit the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus and to protect citizens, residents and international travellers.
Etihad has already suspended all transit travel via Abu Dhabi International Airport (effective 10pm UAE local time on Monday 23 March), with the carrier saying it is attempting to contact affected guests to advise them of the new development. “Any passengers booked on connecting flights via Abu Dhabi to anywhere else on the Etihad network will not be permitted to travel,” the carrier confirmed.
The suspension of flights will last for an initial 14 days, subject to further directives by the relevant authorities. However cargo and emergency evacuation flights are exempt and will continue.
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