Emirates has suspended flights from Pakistan after passengers who transited through Dubai tested positive for Covid-19.
The decision was taken after 26 people on board a flight from Pakistan to Hong Kong via Dubai were found to have the virus.
Cargo flights have not been affected.
The airline said it was committed to serving its customers in Pakistan and is “working hard to resume services as soon as possible”.
"Following the announcement of positive Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong relating to a number of passengers on our flights who began their journeys in Pakistan, Emirates has taken the decision to temporarily suspend passenger services from Pakistan, from 24 June,” said a spokeswoman for the airline.
“We are co-ordinating closely with the various authorities and will review and implement any required additional measures to satisfy all parties before we resume services from Pakistan.”
The spokeswoman said the health and safety of the airline’s crew, customers and communities remains its top priority.
The airline has put in place “a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey on the ground and in the air, to minimise the risk of infection spread”.
“We remain committed to serving our customers in Pakistan and are working hard to resume services as soon as possible,” the spokeswoman said.
“In the meantime Emirates will continue to operate repatriation flights into Pakistan as per the announced schedule, and operate cargo services that support the trade and movement of goods between Pakistan, the UAE and our global network.”
Pakistan is currently experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, which has overwhelmed some hospitals, causing them to turn away patients.
The country’s health ministry said on Wednesday 3,892 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 188,926 confirmed infections.
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Protective barriers have been installed at Dubai International Airport at each check-in desk and immigration counter to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during interaction over the counter. Courtesy Emirates -
Emirates, the world's biggest long-haul airline, is adding more flights to its schedule. Bloomberg -
Selected regular passenger flights are now operating out of Dubai's Terminal 3. Alamy -
Social distancing measures in place at Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. Courtesy Emirates -
A man is seen through a thermal camera at Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020, when repatriation flights were the only passenger options. Reuters -
A passenger walks through Dubai International Airport on April 27, 2020, when repatriation flights only were running. Reuters
