India is not allowing UAE airlines to operate additional repatriation flights. The move comes following the UAE government’s curbs on carrying passengers to Dubai on Air India and private airlines.
A formal order has not been issued but UAE airlines, including Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad and Flydubai, were verbally informed of the decision on Thursday. The move led to a couple of flight cancellations from Dubai on Friday, it is learnt.
India banned scheduled international flights on March 22 and these remain suspended till July 31. Air India began repatriation flights under Vande Bharat Mission from May 6 and domestic and West Asian airlines had been allowed to operate charter flights from May 25.
