Emirates has restarted regular passenger flights from Dubai International, to nine destinations with a series of new safety procedures from 21st May.
The nine destinations to which Emirates is flying include: London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne. The airline is offering connections in Dubai for customers travelling between the UK and Australia.
“Emirates is implementing a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the traveller’s journey, to enhance the sanitisation of all touchpoints...The risk of catching an infection on an aircraft is already very low, but we have spared no effort in reviewing and redesigning every step, from check-in to disembarkation."
Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer.
Check-in
Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits, to be given to every passenger upon check in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai. These kits comprise of masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. The hygiene kits supplement a slew 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.
The airport team has also installed protective barriers at each check-in desk and immigration counter, to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during interaction over the counter.
Transit passengers
Customers travelling from Dubai International Airport, and those transferring onto another flight, will go through thermal screening upon disembarkation. Transfer desks at the airport have also been installed with protective barriers as a precautionary measure. Airport staff, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) will direct customers from a safe distance for extra assistance. Customers will be given an additional hygiene kit at the gate before boarding their connecting flight.
Staggered Boarding
The boarding sequence has been staggered and passengers board by row, from the last row to the first, in small numbers. The waiting area has also been modified to ensure all customers observe social distancing. Emirates boarding agents, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE), will facilitate the boarding sequence. The boarding gates are deep cleaned and disinfected after the boarding of every flight.
On-Board
All cabin crew on-board will be fully kitted out in PPE. To uphold the highest standards of safety and hygiene, Emirates has added a cabin service assistant (CSA) to the crew complement on flights over 1.5 hours. The CSAs will ensure lavatories are cleaned at frequent intervals of every 45 mins. Each lavatory has been equipped with sanitising soap and hand washing instructions.
To minimise the risk of infection by touch, magazines and print reading material will not be available during this time. In premium classes, single use menus and wine lists will be provided to passengers. Comfort items such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, headphones and toys will be hygienically sealed. Emirates is providing service with hot meals, using sterilised cutlery and crockery.
Cabin baggage has to be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items on board. Customers are reminded to bring pens to fill out Health Declaration Forms required for some destinations.
Emirates Crew
To safeguard its employees Emirates’ flight and cabin crew are provided with cars for pick up and drop off at their home, at the beginning and end of their duty. Operating crew check in for their rostered flights in a dedicated crew airport facility, before being transported to the aircraft. Layovers in destination cities have been reduced, where possible, and on long-haul flights, where layovers are necessary, crew are put up in individual rooms in hotels. On returning to Dubai, where all Emirates cabin crew are based, COVID-19 tests are done on all crew. Every crew member has been mandated a 14-day quarantine in their homes after every flight, unless they are on duty.
Article Source and Image: Emirates Press Release