Coronavirus: Passengers head home as Dubai airport puts on limited flights - in pictures

Emirates opened bookings for special repatriation services to select destinations

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.

Tens of thousands of travellers usually pass through the terminals of Dubai International Airport each day.

Some are weary as they make a connection from one end of the world to the other, while others bound through the lengthy hallways with excitement as they prepare to jet off to an exotic new destination, or visit family after a long time apart.

The runways are typically packed with Emirates' flagship A380 and Boeing 777s as passengers take a quick snap of their flying chariot for Instagram before take off.

Now, however, it's a more serene experience amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The cacophony of trolleys and baggage, taxis and children is gone. The snaking queues for busy routes are a memory as passengers adhere to instructions to remain at a safe space from one another as they check in.

Emirates received approval to fly passengers outbound from the UAE to select destinations across Europe.

The outgoing flights were heading to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels and Zurich.

Passengers could also expect a modified in-flight service with no magazines or newspapers, and food and beverages presented in a way that reduces contact between crew members and passengers.

Emirates had instructed travellers to wear face masks and gloves when flying, and it advised travellers to be ready for enhanced security checks at Dubai Airport Terminal 2, where all flights will temporarily depart from. This includes thermal scanning for every passenger.

Etihad also started a limited schedule of flights to several destinations as a special service to repatriate citizens of foreign countries.