Emirates suspends flights to Saudi Arabia after ban on UAE travel

Emirates, Etihad and other UAE-based airlines have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia following the new travel ban.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia suspended flights to and from Saudi Arabia indefinitely starting Sunday, July 4 at 11 pm GST.

All those coming from the UAE to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as their last destination, on or after July 5, 2021, will not be permitted to travel.

Saudi citizens are also not allowed to visit the UAE, Ethiopia, or Vietnam for the foreseeable future.

All travelers, including Saudi nationals, coming back from those three countries, along with Afghanistan, are obligated to undergo “mandatory institutional quarantine” for 14 days.

Arabian Business also adds that the reason behind the travel ban was due to “concerns over a ‘new mutated strain’ of coronavirus.”

According to the magazine, People who have left those three countries, or any other area banned for travel, at least two weeks before arriving in the KSA, are exempted from these restrictions.

Emirates stated on their website that flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are “suspended until further notice.”

Emirates’ last flights to and from KSA on July 4, 2021, are the following:

Dubai‑Jeddah‑Dubai – EK2805 / EK2806

Dubai‑Riyadh‑Dubai – EK2817/ EK 2818

Dubai‑Dammam‑Dubai – EK2821/ EK2822

Here’s what to do if you have a booking to Saudi Arabia from the UAE:

1. Keep your ticket for a future flight

Customers do not need to call Emirates if they choose to keep their tickets for future trips. People can get access to all the information ‘Keep your ticket’ option on the Emirates website.  Once ready to travel, customers must get in touch with their booking office.

2. Rebook your flight to another date

For rebooking, clients must contact their travel agent or booking office.

People must make sure that their contact details are accurate by visiting ‘Manage Your Booking’ on the Emirates website to receive updates.