Emirates, Etihad update travel guidelines for Saudi-bound passengers

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

UAE Airlines Emirates and Etihad have updated their travel guidelines for those travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In its travel update on its website Emirates has said that as directed by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emirates will not accept non‑Saudi national passengers on flights from Dubai to Saudi Arabia, with immediate effect and until further notice.

“Customers holding tickets with final destinations in Saudi Arabia will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Exemptions are Diplomatic passport holders and Health Practitioners and their families,” said Emirates in its statement.

“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking options. To receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking,” it concluded.

Meanwhile, Etihad in its travel update for the passengers to Saudi Arabia has said that there are temporary restrictions on entry to Saudi Arabia from certain countries.

“Effective 3 February 21:00 Saudi time - you will not be permitted to enter Saudi Arabia if you are travelling from or have been in any of the following countries in the past 14 days: Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, USA, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Pakistan, Brazil, Portugal, United Kingdom, Turkey, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Japan,” Etihad statement said.

“This does not apply to Saudi nationals and citizens, diplomats, health practitioners and their families. Guests who have travelled to any of the restricted countries above in the past 14 days must quarantine in their homes for a period of 14 days on arrival to Saudi Arabia.”

“GCC country nationals, with the exception of the UAE, may enter provided they have not been in or transited through any of the restricted countries in the past 14 days. GCC nationals should travel on their passport rather than their national ID card,” said Etihad.

“Mandatory quarantine of seven days for Saudi Nationals if not arriving from any of the restricted countries,” it concluded.