Flydubai is offering passengers free medical cover for Covid-19.
All travellers who fly with the low-cost Dubai airline will automatically be entitled to assistance towards medical costs incurred if they contract the coronavirus.
The news follows a similar announcement by Emirates, which in July became the first in the world to offer passengers free assistance if they catch the virus.
Flydubai’s Covid-19 cover means that passengers do not need to worry about incurring costs related to health care and quarantine if they receive a diagnosis when overseas.
The assistance is valid for 31 days from the date of the first flight, regardless of whether it is a one-way or return journey. Passengers can even land in their chosen destination and continue on to another city – by train, bus or plane – and remain eligible for assistance from the airline for Covid-19 until those 31 days are up.
What does the policy cover?
The policy is provided by Nextcare, the claims management company that provides Emirates’ Covid-19 cover, and the benefits look largely similar.
Medical and hospital costs are covered up to €150,000 (Dh658,450) per person, as are quarantine costs of up to €100 (Dh449) a day, claimable for 14 days. The airline also pledges to cover the costs of transporting a body and up to €1,500 (Dh6,585) in funeral expenses if such a situation were to occur.
It does not cover the cost of a Covid-19 test, nor provide any assistance related to the virus if travellers have not tested positive for it.
Flydubai hopes the new cover will encourage people to start flying again.
“We see the demand for travel starting to increase as more countries gradually lift restrictions on international travel. Safeguarding the passenger journey with added precautions and enhanced procedures will help to stimulate the flow of trade and tourism globally,” said Hamad Obaidalla, chief commercial officer at flydubai.
Travellers booking flights with flydubai do not need to fill in any form to claim the Covid-19 assistance. Instead, those who test positive for the coronavirus should contact the airline’s dedicated Cover Assistance team. They are reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone, WhatsApp or email.
Codeshare renewal
Flydubai and Emirates recently renewed their codeshare partnership. The renewal means that customers of both airlines can access a wider variety of travel options around the world with more than 100 destinations served.
The two Dubai airlines have progressively resumed passenger flights to global destinations. Emirates is now flying to more than 70 destinations, while flydubai has a network of about 30 cities.