United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Emirates slashes Australia flights
In a decision that is likely to cause a further bottleneck for Aussie travellers stranded overseas, Emirates is suspended most flights to Australia.
The gulf carrier said it is halting flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The sudden move comes as Australia drastically reduced the number of daily passengers allowed into the country.
The cancellations, which took effect starting on 16 January, will continue ‘until further notice’ due to ‘operational reasons.’
That leaves only Emirates’ Dubai-Perth route still operating, which flies twice a week.
There are thought to be more than 30,000 Australians still overseas wanting to come home.
"Australia remains an important market for Emirates. We continue to serve Perth with twice-weekly flights and we are working hard to prepare for the resumption of services to our other points," the airline said.
The cap on inbound travellers was reduced last week ‘to manage the flow of returning Australians and other travellers who have been potentially exposed to the new variants,’ Aussie PM Scot Morrison said.
Australia remains an important market for Emirates," the business said in a statement. "We continue to serve Perth with twice-weekly flights and we are working hard to prepare for the resumption of services to our other points."
Meanwhile Australia is planning another 20 chartered repatriation flights to get more Australians home.
They will operate from ‘priority areas from around the world’ such as the US and UK, said Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.
They will operate over the next two months, he said.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike