Dubai's low cost airline, flydubai, has announced that come July 7, it will be resuming its operations to 24 destinations across the globe.
These include; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Alexandria, Egypt, Amman, Jordan, Tbilisi, Georgia, and Yerevan, Armenia.
"Flights are available for booking from today and will operate from July 7. We are initially planning to operate to 24 destinations and we will continuously add destinations and flight frequencies to the network and we expect this to increase to 66 destinations over the course of the summer. This, of course, will be dependent on countries being able to open up and accept international travel," explained Hamad Obaidalla, the Chief Commercial Officer of flydubai.
The full list of flydubai's flight destinations as follows:
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Alexandria, Egypt
- Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Amman, Jordan
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Bucharest, Romania
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Isfahan, Iran
- Juba, South Sudan
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Khartoum, Sudan
- Kiev, Ukraine
- Krakow, Poland
- Lar, Iran
- Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Shiraz, Iran
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Tehran, Iran
- Yerevan, Armenia
The news comes shortly after Dubai announced that it would open to tourists on July 7.
All those wishing to visit Dubai would have to test negative for COVID-19. Aside from testing negative for the virus, all visitors would also be required to have a valid health insurance. They would also be required to download the COVID-19 DXB app, fill out a health declaration form, and be aware that airlines have the right to refuse passengers who they suspect may have the virus.
Once visiting passengers have landed in Dubai, they will be subject to further tests, if airport officials suspect that they are carrying the virus.
All tourists will also be required to follow the city's COVID-19 safety measures. These include the mandatory wearing of masks, social distancing measures, and more. If the COVID-19 guidelines are not followed, they could be subject to fines issues by the Dubai Police.
Under the directives of @HHShkMohd, and follow-up of @HamdanMohammed Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announces new air travel protocols for #Dubai citizens, residents and visitors. pic.twitter.com/UZmT8UBwXs
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 21, 2020
All those living in the UAE have been able to travel out of the emirate as of June 23. Travel, however, will only be permitted to specific destinations and those returning to the UAE after travelling will have to get approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
اعتبارا من 23 يونيو الجاري .. #الإماراتتعلن السماح للمواطنين و المقيمين بالسفر إلى وجهات محددة وفق اشتراطات و إجراءات سيتم الإعلان عنها لاحقا#uae
- UAEGov (@uaegov) June 15, 2020
Rules for Returning to the UAE after Travel
According to the tweet, locals and expats looking to return to the nation after traveling will be subject to several conditions and procedures which will "be announced later."
UAE Residents Currently Looking to the Return to the UAE
Earlier this week, the UAE government announced a new set of quarantine guidelines for residents looking to return to the UAE. All returning UAE residents will be required to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon arrival as per the instructions. The 14 days of quarantine can either take place hotels and at the homes of the returning residents, provided a pre-approved set of criteria are met.
In More Detail
Upon arrival, passengers will be subject to thermal checks. Those suspected of having COVID-19 will be subject to further tests. All returning UAE residents will be required to download the COVID-19 DXB app. Once residents clear immigration and customs, they will be provided with the option of a hotel or home quarantine. Those who do not meet the criteria for home quarantine are required to pick a hotel from a pre-approved list of options.
Hotel Quarantine
Returning residences opting for a hotel stay will have to remain in their rooms for the entire 14 day quarantine period. UAE residences will also be required to clean their rooms regularly and wear face masks and gloves when in the hotel's common spaces. The resident will cover the cost of the hotel stay.
Home Quarantine
Residents looking for home quarantine can do so, provided; their room has its own private bathroom, they are not sharing a household with high-risk individuals, and they have access to medical equipment such as thermometers. All returning UAE residents will have access to a tele-doctor through the COVID-19 DXB app.
How to Book a Return Flight to the UAE
All UAE residents wishing to return have to apply for an entry permit, which can be found on the smartservices.ica.gov.ae website. Once entry permit is approved, returning residents can proceed by booking their return flight to the UAE.