Emirates will operate its full network of 143 destinations by summer 2021, according to its chief operating officer. Courtesy Emirates
Emirates will operate its full network of 143 destinations by summer 2021, according to its chief operating officer. Courtesy Emirates
Emirates will operate its full network of 143 destinations by summer 2021, according to its chief operating officer. Courtesy Emirates
Emirates will operate its full network of 143 destinations by summer 2021, according to its chief operating officer. Courtesy Emirates

Emirates expects to resume flights to all destinations by summer 2021


Emma Day
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Emirates aims to be back to full capacity by next summer, serving its pre-Covid-19 network of 143 destinations.

The Dubai airline's chief operating officer, Adel Al Redha, said this week that the frequency of flights may fluctuate, but Emirates was hopeful all destinations would be served by that time.

"I think we can easily say by summer 2021, we will be serving 100 per cent of our network destinations, that means 143 destinations will be served by summer 2021," he told CNBC.

"Obviously, the frequency of flights per day will depend on the demand and some of the restrictions."

Emirates has continued to resume operations after flights were grounded in March as part of safety measures introduced to contain the spread of coronavirus.

As of September, the airline will have resumed flights to 75 destinations, over half its pre-Covid network.

"I wouldn’t say the worst is behind us, but definitely it is a positive trend. If I compare our performance now with a month ago, we have almost doubled the number of passengers we have been carrying onboard our aircraft, as transit or terminating in Dubai," said Al Redha.

Emirates has introduced a number of health and safety measures to protect customers and crew.

All travellers on Emirates flights are given complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes. Face masks must be worn throughout the duration of every flight.

Pre-flight Covid tests and health insurance

Those flying to Dubai from any destination must have a Covid-19 PCR test before travelling. This applies to UAE citizens, residents and tourists.

It also applies to transit passengers who do not plan to leave the airport.

Emirates is also offering free cover for Covid-19-related costs to all travellers on any flight departing between now and October 31.

Valid for 31 days from the first sector of each journey, it covers travellers for medical costs, quarantine expenses and repatriation costs if they have the virus diagnosed when travelling.

The cover does not extend to Covid-19 tests and all travellers flying to the UAE must be tested for the virus before flying, from approved clinics where available. Some visitors will undergo secondary tests for the virus at Dubai International Airport.

More information and the flight schedule can be found at emirates.com

Click through the gallery below to see the routes Emirates will fly to in August:

  • MIDDLE EAST: Amman, Jordan. All images courtesy Unsplash unless otherwise stated
    MIDDLE EAST: Amman, Jordan. All images courtesy Unsplash unless otherwise stated
  • The corniche in Beirut. Lebanon faces its worst financial crisis since 1943. Alamy
    The corniche in Beirut. Lebanon faces its worst financial crisis since 1943. Alamy
  • Bahrain
    Bahrain
  • Tehran, Iran
    Tehran, Iran
  • Kuwait. Unsplash
    Kuwait. Unsplash
  • Basra, Iraq. Unsplash
    Basra, Iraq. Unsplash
  • The Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Iraq. AFP
    The Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Iraq. AFP
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AFP
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AFP
  • AUSTRALASIA: Sydney, Australia
    AUSTRALASIA: Sydney, Australia
  • Perth, Australia. Getty Images
    Perth, Australia. Getty Images
  • Brisbane, Australia
    Brisbane, Australia
  • Auckland, New Zealand
    Auckland, New Zealand
  • ASIA: Islamabad, Pakistan. EPA
    ASIA: Islamabad, Pakistan. EPA
  • Colombo, Sri Lanka
    Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Bangkok, Thailand
    Bangkok, Thailand
  • Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA
    Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA
  • Sialkot, Pakistan. Unsplash
    Sialkot, Pakistan. Unsplash
  • Kabul, Afghanistan
    Kabul, Afghanistan
  • Male, Maldives
    Male, Maldives
  • Lahore, Pakistan
    Lahore, Pakistan
  • Dhaka, Bangladesh.
    Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Karachi, Pakistan. EPA
    Karachi, Pakistan. EPA
  • The Seychelles. Unsplash
    The Seychelles. Unsplash
  • EUROPE: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    EUROPE: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Brussels, Belgium
    Brussels, Belgium
  • Lisbon, Portugal. Unsplash
    Lisbon, Portugal. Unsplash
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
    Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Athens, Greece
    Athens, Greece
  • Geneva, Switzerland
    Geneva, Switzerland
  • Barcelona, Spain
    Barcelona, Spain
  • London, UK
    London, UK
  • Dublin, Ireland
    Dublin, Ireland
  • Glasgow, Scotland
    Glasgow, Scotland
  • Frankfurt, Germany
    Frankfurt, Germany
  • Larnaca, Cyprus. Pictured is Ayia Napa, 45 minutes away.
    Larnaca, Cyprus. Pictured is Ayia Napa, 45 minutes away.
  • Milan, Italy
    Milan, Italy
  • Madrid, Spain
    Madrid, Spain
  • Manchester, UK
    Manchester, UK
  • Paris, France
    Paris, France
  • Munich, Germany
    Munich, Germany
  • Oslo, Norway
    Oslo, Norway
  • Vienna, Austria
    Vienna, Austria
  • Stockholm, Sweden
    Stockholm, Sweden
  • Zurich, Switzerland
    Zurich, Switzerland
  • Prague, Czech Republic
    Prague, Czech Republic
  • Rome, Italy. EPA
    Rome, Italy. EPA
  • FAR EAST: Hanoi, Vietnam
    FAR EAST: Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Hong Kong.
    Hong Kong.
  • Guangzhou, China.
    Guangzhou, China.
  • Singapore.
    Singapore.
  • Jakarta, Indonesia.
    Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • Osaka, Japan.
    Osaka, Japan.
  • Taipei, Taiwan.
    Taipei, Taiwan.
  • Manila, Philippines.
    Manila, Philippines.
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Clark, the Philippines. Getty Images
    Clark, the Philippines. Getty Images
  • Tokyo, Japan
    Tokyo, Japan
  • Pandanon Island, Cebu, Philippines. Unsplash
    Pandanon Island, Cebu, Philippines. Unsplash
  • Seoul, South Korea
    Seoul, South Korea
  • AMERICAS: Washington, US.
    AMERICAS: Washington, US.
  • New York, US
    New York, US
  • Houston, Texas. Unsplash
    Houston, Texas. Unsplash
  • Toronto, Canada
    Toronto, Canada
  • Boston, US
    Boston, US
  • Los Angeles, US
    Los Angeles, US
  • Chicago, US
    Chicago, US
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil.
    Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • AFRICA: Tunis, Tunisia
    AFRICA: Tunis, Tunisia
  • Cairo, Egypt
    Cairo, Egypt
  • National Park, Nairobi, Kenya. Unsplash
    National Park, Nairobi, Kenya. Unsplash
  • Accra, Ghana. Courtesy Marriott International
    Accra, Ghana. Courtesy Marriott International
  • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • South Luangwa national park in Zambia.
    South Luangwa national park in Zambia.
  • Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
    Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Dakar, Senegal. Reuters
    Dakar, Senegal. Reuters
  • Khartoum, Sudan. Reuters
    Khartoum, Sudan. Reuters