Covid-19: Bookings open for India-UAE flights from July 31 to August 15

Flights from India to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah will resume from tomorrow (July 31), Air India Express announced late Thursday evening.

The airline opened bookings for India-UAE flights on the departure leg of the repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission. The news comes as a welcome respite for many residents who have been stranded in India since March.

Also read: Mandatory quarantine for international arrivals in India

However, the booking is open for residence visa holders with ICA or GDRFA approval and a valid Covid-19 PCR test report in the printed form, from a government-approved laboratory.

The airline has notified passengers not to travel with expired ICA or GDRFA approvals. It said on its blog, "It will not be accepted at check-in. The passenger has to apply afresh for entry into UAE."

Happy news for passengers to UAE
We are happy to take you to your loved ones.
Fly from tomorrow.
Bookings are open now!@HardeepSPuri @MoCA_GoI @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/HMdYGlB9Wq

- Air India Express (@FlyWithIX) July 30, 2020

Furthermore, only resident permit passengers with stamped copy in the passport can book from India to UAE, and the bookings are non-refundable.

Air India is operating flights from various cities in India, including Kochi, Delhi, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad.

Is Covid-19 PCR test mandatory to travel to UAE?
A valid negative Covid-19 PCR test report, from a government-approved laboratory, not older than 96 hours prior departure is required for travel back to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Currently, Children under the age of 12 are exempted from Covid-19 PCR testing while travelling to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from Covid-19 PCR testing while travelling to Dubai effective August 1.

Dubai: When you arrive in Dubai, you must take a PCR test at the airport and remain in your residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

Abu Dhabi: PCR testing and temperature screening is in operation at Abu Dhabi airport.

Sharjah: PCR test on arrival.

In addition to labs mentioned on the Pure Health website, all labs approved by the Indian Government and Emirates airline are also acceptable.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

Dhanusha Gokulan

Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for 10 years. She has a keen interest in writing about issues that plague the common person, and will never turn down a human interest story. She completed her Bachelor in Arts in Journalism, Economics, and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves travelling, and Audible is her favourite mobile application. Tweet at her @wordjunkie88