UAE suspends flights from India amid COVID-19 surge

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday announced that it will stop all its flights from India effective from April 25, as coronavirus cases in India have spiked to global records.

According to a Gulf News report, passengers who have transited through India in the last 14 days are also not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE.

The travel ban will come into effect from 11.59 pm on Saturday, 24 April, and is subject to review after 10 days.

"Etihad will continue to operate flights to India, carrying passengers both from our network and from Abu Dhabi. Etihad will not be permitted to carry passengers from India, however UAE nationals, Diplomatic Passport Holders and Official Passport Holders or those holding an Official Delegation Letter are exempted from the UAE entry restriction. These passengers will be subject to acceptance and quarantine conditions," an Etihad spokesperson said.

"The decision to suspend flights came after studying and evaluating the epidemiological situation in the friendly Republic of India," the General Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement carried on state news agency WAM.

The GCAA said that those coming from India through other countries must stay in that third destination for at least 14 days.

UAE nationals and passengers in private jets are also exempt from that requirement.

India on Friday hit a grim record with the world's-highest daily tally of 3,32,730 cases. The country also recored 2263 fatalities.