Saudi postpones travel suspension to May 17

Our Correspondent

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has postponed the date for lifting the travel suspension for its citizens and opening all land, sea and air outlets, in full, to May 17, 2021 instead of March 31.

The Saudi Press Agency said the announcement is based on the Minister of Health’s statement that the Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers were late in delivering contracted batches on specific times. In the light of the second wave of the pandemic in many countries, the Kingdom attaches importance to reaching high immunity rates in its people before allowing travel.

UK suspends direct flights from the UAE

Meanwhile, with the British Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps announcing a ban from January 29 for people who have been in or transited through the UAE, Burundi and Rwanda, UAE national carriers have halted operations to the UK.
Emirates and Etihad Airways have been flooded with calls from prospective travellers. They have urged passengers to contact travel agencies to rebook their tickets, if it is issued through them.
“Our flights to and from the UK are suspended until further notice,” said Emirates Support, the official customer service Twitter channel for Emirates. “We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking.”

However, Etihad maintained that flights from the UK were unaffected.

“All Etihad Airways flights to the UK are suspended until further notice, however flights out of the UK are still operating,” said Etihad Help, the airline’s official guest relations Twitter account. Hence a British citizen wishing to reach Dubai can fly to Abu Dhabi and then travel by road to the emirate. Etihad arranges transfer to Dubai via Etihad coach, chauffeur or via the airport taxi which will help avoid the 10 days quarantine in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways in a statement said: “If your plans have been affected, we’ll keep your ticket open for you to book whenever you’re ready. You don’t have to contact us straight away to change your flight.”

The UAE has announced free-of-cost extension of visit visas for British travellers affected by the suspension of flights.