Emirates and Etihad airlines resume limited passenger flights

The UAE carriers Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have resumed limited passenger flights two weeks after authorities grounded airlines as part of wider shutdowns to combat coronavirus.

An Emirates aircraft takes off from Dubai International Airport on Monday. AFP

The flights are open to foreign citizens who wish to leave the UAE, but no incoming passengers are allowed. Foreign residents are banned from re-entering until at least mid-April.

Passengers bound for Frankfurt check-in at Dubai International Airport. AFP

Dubai's Emirates, the largest carrier in the Middle East, said it operated a flight to London late on Sunday and another to Frankfurt on Monday as part of its limited resumption.

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It said in a statement that it plans to operate four flights a week to London and three weekly flights each to Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels and Zurich.

Passengers bound for Frankfurt wait at a terminal of Dubai International Airport. AFP

Wearing face masks and other protective gear at Dubai International Airport on Monday, some 212 travellers to Frankfurt went through thermal screening before they boarded the aircraft.

Etihad said on its Twitter account that it resumed limited operation with a passenger flight to Seoul on Sunday.

A health worker checks the body temperature of passengers bound for Frankfurt at Dubai International Airport. AFP

The carrier said it will operate seven flights to Seoul, five to Singapore, six to Manila and two flights to Jakarta through April 21.

Last week Emirates said that cleaning and disinfection of the planes will take place after each flight.

Agence France-Presse