Travel updates: Emirates signals the return of long haul travel

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Emirates and Etihad Airways have paved the way for the return of long haul travel, as the UAE lifted its suspension on flights transiting in the country.

The suspension was lifted for all UAE carriers late last night, two months after the Arab state halted all passenger flights as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold.

Emirates, one of the world’s biggest long-haul carriers, said on Thursday that it would resume flights to 29 destinations across Europe, Asia and North America by June 15.

This includes services from London Heathrow (as of June 11) and Manchester Airport (June 15).

Emirates will also be resuming flights to Singapore, New York JFK and Perth among other destinations.

Abu Dhabi’s carrier, Etihad, has said it will carry transit passengers to 20 cities in Europe, Asia and Australia as of June 10.

British holidaymakers, and indeed all foreign citizens, are still banned from entering the UAE unless they hold residency.

This means British holidaymakers can theoretically book themselves onto a long haul flight via a connection in Dubai, providing they meet immigration requirements of the destination country.

However, the news offers little in the way of a practical step forward for British holidaymakers. As it stands, anyone arriving into the UK (including returning holidaymakers) after June 8 will be subject to a 14-day quarantine, and the FCO advises against all but essential travel.

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