Bookings start for flights from Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai to UAE

Flight bookings from India to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah will resume from today, Air India has announced. The airline has opened bookings for India-UAE flights on the departure leg of the repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission. The bookings will be open till August 15.

Bookings are however open for residence visa holders with ICA or GDRFA approval and a valid Covid-19 PCR test report in the printed form, from a government-approved laboratory.

The airline has notified passengers not to travel with expired ICA or GDRFA approvals. Only resident permit passengers with stamped passport copy can book tickets from India to UAE, and the bookings are non-refundable.

Air India is operating flights from various cities in India, including Kochi, Delhi, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, according to a Khaleej Times report.

A valid negative Covid-19 PCR test report, from a government-approved laboratory, not older than 96 hours prior departure is required for travel back to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Currently, Children under the age of 12 are exempted from Covid-19 PCR testing while travelling to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from Covid-19 PCR testing while travelling to Dubai effective August 1.

When you arrive in Dubai, you must take a PCR test at the airport and remain in your residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines, Khaleej Times has reported.

PCR testing and temperature screening are in operation at Abu Dhabi airport and at Sharjah the PCR test will be carried out on arrival.