Emirates and South Africa
Coming in behind Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Qantas, Dubai-based carrier Emirates Airlines has taken fifth place in the rankings of the world’s best airlines for this year, according to Airlineratings.com. However, the airline is still unable to offer seats to South African passengers on flights from SA.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) imposed both entry and flight bans against South Africa in early January this year – as a result of the detection of the Beta variant of the coronavirus in South Africa. The suspension was initially intended for a period of 12 days.
The directive prohibits South Africans from entering the UAE and prevents airlines operating flights between the two countries. Now nearly 6 months later, the UAE’s entry ban is still in place meaning South Africans and anyone who has been through SA in the 14 days prior to their travels may not enter the United Arab Emirates.
Authorities in the UAE later updated the travel ban resulting in Emirates Airlines being able to carry passengers on flights to South Africa but banning passengers from South Africa on return flights between South Africa and Dubai.
The airline now operates one daily passenger flight to Johannesburg (EK763) but it is unable to offer carriage to SA-based passengers on the return flight to Dubai (EK 764) due to regulations issued by UAE authorities.
The directive which has recently been extended by UAE authorities forces Emirates Airlines to continuously have to announce suspensions to its scheduled passenger flights on South African routes.
The latest extension of UAE flight suspensions — updated on 21 July — takes the halting of Emirates’ Airlines flights for SA-based passengers to 31 July. This effectively means that South Africa-based passengers have not been able to board Emirates flights for over half a year.
The latest entry ban is due for review on 31 July.
