UAE extends ban on incoming Indian flights

Jeddah: In yet another blow to NRIs stranded in India and were hoping to return to their workplaces, United Arab Emirates has extended its suspension of flight services from India until July 6. Following this, the movement of passengers to the UAE from India until July 6 had been suspended, budget Indian carrier Air India Express announced on Tuesday.

Air India Express tweeted that passengers who were booked to travel in that period could reschedule their tickets.

The UAE had announced the ban on passenger flights from India on April 24 following the surge in COVID-19



cases. The restrictions were extended periodically. The UAE had stopped entry to all travellers from India and those who had been in India any time in the 14 days prior to their arrival in the UAE. The only exceptions were made for UAE nationals, diplomats and holders of the UAE golden visa.

The summer season from June to August is considered as peak travel time for NRIs as school summer holidays. However, uncertainty over the suspension of incoming passengers from India has halted the travel plans of NRIs in UAE and other gulf nations.