Emirates Airlines suspended its flights to destinations in South Africa as a result of the discovery of the Omicron variant in November last year. This was in line with directives issued by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
REACTION TO OMICRON VARIANT
The airline initially suspended all passenger flights to and from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town but later decided it would operate passenger flights into Johannesburg, but would only carry cargo on the flights out of Johannesburg.
While Emirates’ flights are only carrying passengers from Dubai to Johannesburg at the moment, its Cape Town and Johannesburg routes remain totally suspended.
RESTARTING FLIGHTS IN AFRICA
The airline has begun to restart flights to destinations in Africa with the resumption of flights to several African countries. Business Insider reports that Emirates resumed flying from its hub in Dubai to Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Uganda, and Angola on Thursday.
However, there is still no joy for South Africa where Emirates Airlines is only carrying inbound passengers to one city. The airline’s flight ban on South African travellers has frustrated many passengers who are holding tickets to travel from South Africa with the airline.
ALSO READ: Ireland drops COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated visitors
SA FLIGHT BAN CONTINUES
Emirates’ flight suspension has been extended at least twice over the last month-and-a-half. Flights from South Africa were originally expected to resume on 1 January. These were again suspended to 10 January.
Since a number of countries have now lifted flight and travel bans against South Africa the disruption caused by Emirates Airlines’ flight ban is causing frustration to many travellers. A competitor airline also based in the Middle East, Qatar Airlines resumed flights to and from South Africa on 13 January.
ALSO READ: Qatar Airways to restart flights to and from South Africa
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