A signal of return to normality

When my editor asked me when was the last time I was inside an aeroplane, I replied it was like ages ago.

It really felt like that since it was more than a year I was on a flight and international travels were mostly restricted because of the pandemic.

So, when the assignment to cover EK2021 was given to me, I readily accepted it.

Arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 3 yesterday morning, I immediately felt the sense of excitement as passengers were preparing to check in for the special Emirates flight for fully-vaccinated crew and passengers.

Yes, it was a flight to nowhere – as the A380 plane took off and landed in the same airport – but it was also a flight to everywhere as passengers (especially those frequent travellers) felt it was a signal of return to air travel normality.

Symbolic flight

People I interviewed all agreed it was a symbolic flight – but one that would give confidence to individuals to travel even during pandemic, provided health and safety protocols are properly observed. EK2021 was a testament to the importance of vaccination. In fact, it was a celebration of the UAE’s aggressive vaccination campaign.

Passenger Sam Chui, a Dubai-based Chinese travel and aviation blogger, said:“Lots of people have not travelled for over a year. To see the joy on their faces during the flight, was such a pleasure.”

But EK2021 was not only for the passengers, it was also for the men and women – the airline industry crew – who were hit hard by the pandemic. They also felt the sense of recovery as passengers will start flying again.

Before serving refreshments to EK 2021 passengers, I caught the EK crew in a huddle and the senior purser gave them a pep talk. She said: “Let’s give the passengers an unforgettable experience.” It was indeed an unforgettable experience – being able to see again the UAE above 15,000 feet from a window plane.

Arriving at Terminal 3 yesterday morning, I immediately felt the sense of excitement as passengers were preparing to check in for the special Emirates flight for fully-vaccinated crew and passengers.