P<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2021/07/28/emirates-airline-extends-ban-on-passenger-flights-from-india-until-august-7/" target="_blank">assenger flights to and from India</a> will remain suspended until next month, Etihad Airways said on Monday. In response to questions from travellers about bookings from Kerala to Abu Dhabi, the airline said on Twitter: “As per the latest update our flights from India have been suspended until 2 August. Do keep an eye on our website for future travel information.” The Abu Dhabi airline had previously said all flights from India were suspended until July 31, citing government directives. Restrictions on passengers from India have been in place since late April, when daily Covid-19 case numbers soared to 400,000 and the highly infections Delta variant emerged. Emirates Airline earlier said passenger flights from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would remain suspended until at least <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2021/07/23/emirates-flights-from-india-bangladesh-pakistan-and-sri-lanka-suspended-until-july-28/" target="_blank">July 28</a>. The suspension is regularly reviewed and extended. Thousands of Indians have spent 14-day layovers in countries including <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/health/2021/07/18/home-via-ethiopia-indians-go-off-the-beaten-track-to-return-to-dubai/" target="_blank">Armenia</a>, Serbia, the Maldives, Uzbekistan and Ethiopia to return to jobs and family in the Emirates as the direct passenger flight suspension remains in place. UAE citizens, golden visa holders and members of diplomatic missions who comply with updated Covid-19 regulations are exempt from the ruling. The <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/expo-2020/2021/07/23/expo-2020-dubai-participants-can-enter-uae-from-countries-on-flight-suspension-list/" target="_blank">exemption</a> also applies to participants in Expo 2020 Dubai. Passengers from 16 countries where flights to and from the UAE are suspended are exempt from travel restrictions if they are participating in Expo 2020 Dubai as per a decision by the General Civil Aviation Authority. The GCAA said Expo 2020 international participants, exhibitors and personnel sponsored by the world fair’s organiser can enter the UAE. Flights have been suspended from 16 countries including India since April to limit the spread of Covid-19.
