Emirates takes off for Maldives

Emirates will be adding more destinations to its passenger flights this month, including a service to the Maldives.

The additions will bring Emirates’ network to 52 destinations. The reintroduced routes in July include Cairo and Tunis from July 1, Glasgow from July 15 and Male from July 16. The Maldives will reopen to international guests from July 15.

Passengers will also be able to enter Dubai, Emirates’ hub, from July 7 when the emirate reopens to international business and leisure visitors. Visitors to Dubai must hold an international health insurance policy covering illness from Covid-19 for the duration of their stay.

The airline will also be resuming on-ground services for premium customers, including the airline’s Chauffeur Drive service and an airport lounge.

Emirates will open one lounge in Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport to serve First Class, Business Class and eligible Emirates Skywards members from July 1. There will be reduced seating capacity and increased spacing between seats in the lounge to aid social distancing. Masks are mandatory both in the lounge and throughout the airport.

Lounge food will be provided in sealed meal boxes instead of a buffet offering. Spirits and other complimentary drinks will be offered in single serve bottles, while wine and champagne served from shared bottles will be temporarily unavailable. Emirates Lounge employees will wear personal protective equipment and the area will be sanitised and fumigated at the end of each day.

July 1 also sees the resumption of the Emirates Chauffeur Drive service for First and Business customers both in Dubai and other cities, although the airline has not yet indicated the destinations other than Dubai that will be resuming the service. High touch points in the vehicles will be disinfected after each trip and Dubai drivers will wear masks and gloves. Disinfected, shrink-wrapped child car seats are available on request.