UAE suspends all Passenger and Transit flights for two weeks

The United Arab Emirates announced on Monday that it will temporarily suspend all passenger and transit flights amid the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

The National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management and the Civil Aviation Authority have decided to suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the UAE for two weeks as part of the precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Emirati authorities “have decided to suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the UAE for two weeks as part of precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of Covid-19“, reported the official state news agency, WAM.

In a statement, the CAA said cargo and emergency evacuation flights would be exempt, taking into consideration all the precautionary measures adopted as per the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

“Additional examination and isolation arrangements will be taken later should flights resume in order to ensure the safety of passengers, air crews, and airport personnel and their protection from infection risks,” said the statement.

Monday’s announcement came hours after Dubai carrier Emirates announced it will suspend all passenger flights by March 25.

The UAE’s civil aviation regulator had already suspended passenger flights to several destinations in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.