In a blow to the hopes of thousands of NRIs who were planning to travel to Dubai from Wednesday, Air India has announced that flight services to the UAE would remain suspended until July 6.
Over the last weekend, the Dubai government had announced that flight services from India, Nigeria and South Africa would resume from June 23. Those travellers holding a valid residence visa and who had received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine would be allowed to enter Dubai, subject to clearing PCR tests and quarantine.
On Wednesday morning, Air India responded to a query on Twitter by saying, "In view of travel restrictions announced by UAE government, flights between India and UAE are suspended till 06th Jul'21. Please keep a watch on our Twitter handle and website for further updates."
Travel agents told local media outlets in the UAE that bookings for Emirates, the flag carrier of Dubai, had not been opened on flights from India from Wednesday. The Emirates office helpline (091-67003333) in India informed THE WEEK that the airline was still awaiting instructions from the Dubai government on resumption of flights and had not restarted bookings.
The Emirates Support handle on Twitter relayed a similar message to travellers by stating, "we're still waiting for the details and permits from government authorities. Once we have them, we'll send a broadcast on our flight schedules and travel requirements."
Services of Etihad, the flag carrier of Abu Dhabi, from India remain suspended until July 6.
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It is yet unclear why flights have not been resumed after the weekend announcement. Gulf News quoted a travel industry agent as saying there was confusion about one of the entry requirements: Having an RT-PCR test four hours prior to departure. The agent told Gulf News, "There is some confusion on the rapid test before 4 hours of departure—once that is sorted they will roll out the schedule of flights." Gulf News reported airports in India lacked facilities to conduct such tests.
The UAE had suspended incoming flights from India on April 24 due to the COVID-19 situation and barred entry to people who had been in India 14 days prior to entry to the UAE. The only people allowed entry from India to the UAE after April 24 were UAE nationals, diplomats and holders of the 10-year golden visa.
