Emirates flights bring stranded residents home
dubai — Emirates is now operating limited passenger flights to the UAE to bring back residents stranded abroad. The current destinations from where these flights are operated include Frankfurt and London Heathrow.
The Dubai-based carrier has brought back a group of students who were stranded in London after flight cancellations. The students are undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a five-star hotel in Dubai.
One of them, Barakah Moti, a law student at Queen Mary University in London, said: “Hearing news about hundreds of people catching the deadly Covid-19 infection daily in England, I was truly scared living by myself for seven weeks. I am very happy that I am back in Dubai and united with my family.”
I was transported to JW Marriott Marquis Hotel. My meals, laundry and other requirements are all taken care of. I am proud that I reside in a country, which takes care of expatriates like their own citizens.” Barakah Moti, student in UK
dubai — Emirates on Saturday announced that it is operating limited passenger flights to carry travellers from selected countries to the UAE.
The current destinations for return flights include Frankfurt and London Heathrow and the passengers arriving from other countries on Emirates have to undergo a mandatory Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Covid-19 test upon their arrival in UAE, observe a 14-day compulsory quarantine and a followup test before their release.
Only those UAE residents who have received approval the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Mofaic) will be brought back to Dubai.
In addition to Emirates, Etihad on Friday announced that it had opened booking for the UAE residents who are stuck abroad and want to return to the country. It opened booking for UAE residents stranded in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Toronto. The national carrier said residents must obtain approval through Twajudi Resident service and hold a valid residence visa in order to be accepted for travel to the UAE.
Students return home
“Travel restrictions into the UAE remain in place. (But) Emirates can only carry passengers into the UAE, who are approved to travel by Mofaic,” an airline spokesperson said in a statement to Khaleej Times.
“I was scared living by myself for seven weeks, and even running out for necessities. I am happy to be back to Dubai with my family. All you need is care and understanding in this situation, which I received abundantly from the Emirates airline and the staff at Dubai airport. The courteous attitude was heart winning,” said Barakah Moti, a law student at Queen Mary University in London.
Undergoing a mandatory 14day quarantine along with other students at a five-star hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, Moti and eight other students landed in Dubai on May 4. A total of around 20 to 25 students have been brought back on two UAE flights from London.
“I was transported to JW Marriott Marquis Hotel. My meals, laundry and other requirements are all taken care of by the Dubai Government. I am proud that I reside in a country, which takes care of expatriates as much as their own citizens,” she added.
“I was worried about my daughter staying abroad alone. I appreciate the authorities for bringing her back,” said Benazir Moti, mother of Barakah.