'We couldn't be prouder': Etihad pays tribute to staff working during the pandemic

The UAE's national airline thanked the 'extraordinary people' making up its front lines in a new video

Etihad has commended its employees working through the pandemic with a new video. Etihad / YouTube

The skies might be quieter than they have been in decades as the coronavirus outbreak continues to halt travel plans, but there are still plenty of airline staff clocking on each day.

And it's those workers who form the focus of Etihad's new video.

The UAE's national airline has created an homage to its employees working throughout the pandemic, both on the ground and in the air.

"At least for now, the world as we know it has changed," the one and a half minute video, which was published on Wednesday evening, says.

"Families around the world stay at home to protect communities and the ones they love. But with compassion and care, the incredible team, inspired by the leadership of Abu Dhabi, are working around the clock to keep the world connected."

While regular passenger flights from the UAE remain suspended as per a directive from the General Civil Aviation Authority, both Etihad and Emirates have launched special repatriation flights to help travellers stranded in the UAE return to their home country.

It is the workers making those repatriation flights possible, as well as those keeping essential services going, that Etihad commended.

"From cargo operations to pilots and crew operating special passenger flights and teams on the ground," the video detailed, "delivering vital supplies such as food and medicine, bringing people home and reuniting them with their loved ones.

"Our front-line teams are made up of extraordinary people and we couldn’t be prouder. They are the first line of defence for the UAE, protecting our communities and keeping us safe."

The video featured shots of Etihad staff wearing protective masks and gloves as they went about their day-to-day work.

Passenger flights in and out of the UAE are grounded until Tuesday, April 21, with exemptions for select repatriation flights.

A health worker checks the body temperature of passengers bound for Frankfurt at Dubai International Airport.

Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport.

Passengers bound for Frankfurt board a shuttle bus at Dubai International Airport.

A flydubai aircraft is parked on the tarmac of Dubai International Airport.

Passengers check in at Dubai International Airport.

An information board displays an alert for passengers to maintain distance from others at Dubai International Airport.

Mask-clad passengers bound for Frankfurt walk past check-in counters at Dubai International Airport.

A mask-clad employee walks in front of a flydubai aircraft on the tarmac of Dubai International Airport.

Passengers bound for Frankfurt wait at a terminal of Dubai International Airport.

Passengers bound for Frankfurt wait at a terminal of Dubai International Airport.

Passengers bound for Frankfurt wait at a terminal of Dubai International Airport.

Passengers wait at a terminal at Dubai International Airport, as Emirates resumed a limited number of outbound passenger flights.

An Emirates aircraft takes off from Dubai International Airport.

Emirates Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport as the airline resumed a limited number of outbound passenger flights.

Passengers are assisted at the check-in counter in a terminal at Dubai International Airport.

Passengers have their travel documents checked before departure at Dubai International Airport.

Passengers have their travel documents checked before departure at Dubai International Airport.

Etihad this week added services to Brussels, Dublin, London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita and Zurich to help passengers return to their home country.

The airline also continues to operate special flights to Amsterdam, Jakarta, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul Incheon and Singapore.

The special flights, which started on Sunday, April 5, are one-way only, and on return journeys, the airlines have been repatriating Emirati citizens stuck abroad, and bringing in fresh produce and cargo.