The UAE, Burundi, and Rwanda have been added to the red list of countries from where travel to the UK is banned because of worries over the spread of new coronavirus variants.
As part of the precautions, Britain today banned direct passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dubai – London route is one of the world’s busiest international route in January, with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, airline data provider OAG said.
As directed by the UK government, Emirates will be suspending passenger services between Dubai and all its UK points – Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Manchester, effective 1300hrs GMT on 29 January 2021 until further notice.
Etihad Airways also announced that from 1 pm (GMT), all flights to the UK will be suspended.
Britain’s transport department advised nationals now in the UAE to use indirect commercial routes to fly back to Britain.
Border closures caused by Covid-19 made Dubai to London the world’s busiest international route in January, with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, airline data provider OAG said.
“This means people who have been in or transited through these countries will be denied entry, except British, Irish and third country nationals with residence rights who must self-isolate for ten days at home,” UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Thursday.
The UAE was the most popular long-haul destination in November 2020, with 84,500 passengers travelling to and from the country, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said passengers allowed to enter the UK would need proof of a negative test and a completed passenger locator form before arrival, or could face two £500 fines.
