Home
FacebookSearchMenu
  • Subscribe (free)
  • Subscribe (free)
  • News
  • Features
  • TravelInfo
  • Columns
  • Community
  • Sponsored
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send Us News

Share

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Dubai bars travellers from SA

22 Jan 2021 - by Sarah Robertson
Comments | 0

Dubai has barred entry to anyone who has been in South Africa within the 10 days prior to arrival.

The rule has raised doubts on whether Emirates flights will actually be returning to South Africa on January 28, as per the airline’s last communication to the market.

Emirates cancelled its flights to and from South Africa a week ago, listing operational reasons for the cancellations. The airline said at the time that flights would resume on January 28 and encouraged agents and direct passengers to rebook their trips to travel beyond this date. But the airline was slow to release a comprehensive re-accommodation policy, leaving many passengers stranded around the world.

The new regulation, barring entry from South Africa, which many believe was the real reason behind the Emirates flight cancellations, has now been updated on the airline’s website under the following link:

https://www.emirates.com/za/english/help/covid-19/dubai-travel-requirements/tourists/

It says:

“New rules for travel from South Africa – you will not be able to enter Dubai if you have been in South Africa within 10 days of departure to Dubai. This includes transiting in other countries within 10 days before travelling to Dubai.”

Unacceptable

Ceo of Asata, Otto de Vries, told Travel News: “We are extremely frustrated by Emirates’ failure to give a clear explanation of why flights to South Africa were cancelled. Agents need to communicate with their clients and amend their bookings to involve as little disruption as possible. This can only be done if suppliers respect the travel trade enough to communicate openly and honestly with us. Telling us that flights are banned ‘due to operational reasons’ when there is far more at play, is not acceptable.”

Otto asked Emirates to urgently provide the trade with answers.
“Where does this leave our customers and how do we have the confidence that the schedules will resume on January 28. If the flights do not resume, what workable re-accommodation options will you offer our clients?

“We understand that the COVID situation is fluid but this heightens the need to work together collegially as an industry,” he added.

Owner of Travel VIP, Paula Varges Martini, also confirmed that no communication from Emirates had been received relating to the expected resumption of flights to South Africa on January 28. These flights still reflected in the system at time of publication.

 

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.

Acsa insourcing push strains JNB security

10 minutes ago
Comments | 0

Creecy sets aviation priorities in budget vote

20 minutes ago
Comments | 0

Qantas the latest victim in airline cyberattacks

30 minutes ago
Comments | 0

Feature: Sunlife’s eco-friendliness shines

35 minutes ago
Comments | 0

Europe on fire: tourists feels the heat

40 minutes ago
Comments | 0

MOU will advance aviation in Africa

45 minutes ago
Comments | 0

RCI opens bookings for new beach club

50 minutes ago
Comments | 0

Monday Smile: Thai elephant finds new family

55 minutes ago
Comments | 0

Latest Changes on Travelinfo (04Jul'25)

1 hour ago
Comments | 0

Last-minute cruises? Still plenty of space

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Operating safely in a more conflict-ridden world

Column
03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Edelweiss adds Windhoek flights

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Blaauwberg Beach Hotel unveils new event venue

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0
  • Load more

FeatureClick to view

MICE in cruising July 2025

Poll

Have your clients experienced longer queues than usual at security at OR Tambo International in recent weeks?
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel News on Facebook
  • eTNW Twitter
  • Travel News RSS
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send Us News