Emirates To Resume Passenger Flights

Emirates has restarted passenger flights from Dubai International to nine destinations. These new flights bring a series of new safety procedures from the 21st of May.

These destinations include: London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne. The airline is also offering connections in Dubai for customers travelling between the UK and Australia.

Check-in

Emirates has recently introduced complimentary hygiene kits. These are to be given to every passenger upon check-in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai. The hygiene kits contain masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. The hygiene kits supplement a number of additional measures already introduced to keep customers safe.

Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees at the airport in Dubai, while only masks are mandated on Emirates flights. Airport management has also installed protective barriers at each check-in desk and immigration counter.

Transfers

Customers travelling from Dubai International Airport, and those transferring onto another flight, will go through thermal screening upon disembarkation. Airport staff equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) will assist passengers from a safe distance. 

Staggered Boarding

The aircraft boarding sequence has now been staggered, and passengers will board by row, in small numbers. The waiting area has also been modified to ensure sufficient space between customers, to allow for social distancing measures. Emirates boarding agents, also equipped with personal protective equipment, will facilitate the new boarding sequence. The boarding gates will be deep cleaned and disinfected after the boarding of each flight.

On-Board

All cabin crew on-board the aircraft will be fully equipped in personal protective equipment. Emirates has also taken the measure of an additional crew member, a cabin service assistant (CSA) to complement the standard crew on flights over 1.5 hours. The CSAs will ensure lavatories are cleaned at frequent intervals of every 45 mins.

To reduce the risk of infection by touch, magazines and other print media will not be available during this time. In premium classes, single use menus and wine lists will be provided to passengers. Items such as mattresses, pillows, blankets and headphones will be hygienically protected. Emirates is providing service with hot meals, utilising sterilised cutlery and crockery.

Cabin baggage must be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items on board. 

We hope this is a step in the right direction for global aviation, and other operators can implement similar procedures to safeguard their passengers.  

Article Source: Emirates Press Release