Dubai: The UAE extended the suspension of commercial flights from India to the country until June 30, UAE's flag carrier Emirates airline announced on its website.
Travellers who have passed through India 14 days before their entry will be denied travel permit. UAE nationals, UAE Golden Visa holders and diplomats will be exempted from the India-UAE travel ban, provided that they adhere to the revised Covid19 protocols, the airline said.
The airline stated that those holding a ticket and affected by the decision can make use of their ticket for a future flight with a validity of up to 36 months, provided that they booked their ticket before April 1. Tickets issued from April 1 will be automatically valid for travel for 24 months.
The travel suspension initially took effect on April 24, amidst a steep rise in coronavirus cases in India. It was expected that the ban would be lifted by June 14, with several expatriates in the hope to return to their workplaces. However, the extending ban has left the diaspora in worry.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) had imposed an entry ban also on all travellers coming from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, effective from May 12.