Combating coronavirus: Etihad looks to resume flights from May 16

Dubai - The UAE's national carrier is accepting bookings to different destinations from May 16. Earlier, it had announced plan to resume service from May 1.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has extended the suspension of its schedule flights to May 15 and is looking to resume flights from May 16.
The UAE's national carrier is accepting bookings to different destinations from May 16. Earlier, it had announced plan to resume service from May 1.
"Due to the ongoing Covid-19 global pandemic, the suspension of scheduled passenger services to and from the UAE remains in place. While Etihad hoped to resume a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from May 1, subject to the UAE government imposed travel restrictions being lifted, the airline will now delay this plan until at least May 16, due to the ongoing situation. Some flights may remain available from May 16, however as the current suspension remains in place, this situation may change and Etihad will communicate any changes in due course," the airline said in a statement sent to Khaleej Times.
Regular passenger flights remain suspended since March due to restrictions imposed by the UAE and foreign governments on international travel to contain Covid-19 pandemic.
Some of the destinations that the airline has opened bookings to include Mumbai, Colombo, Manila, Islamabad, London and Beirut. Flight to Mumbai can be booked with starting fare or Dh2,213. While flights to Kochi can be booked from May 16 with one-way fare starting from Dh2,453. Similarly, flight to Beirut can be booked on May 15 with starting fare of Dh1,584. While fares to Pakistani capital Islamabad starts at a massive Dh4,763 for one economy ticket.
The airline is offering Flex airfares, which will give passengers a free data chance and cancellation policy.
"The airline continues to monitor the situation and to follow the UAE and international government and regulatory authority directives. The resumption of scheduled services will be communicated through its usual channels once restrictions are lifted," the airline said in the statement.
It announced on Saturday that it would continue operating its special flights from Abu Dhabi to certain Asian, European and American cities to repatriate stranded their citizens in the UAE. It will be operating outbound special flights to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Chicago, Frankfurt, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Zurich.
waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com