The ongoing Coronavirus outbreak continues to impact travel in and out of China, with Emirates and Etihad suspending some services to the region.
Emirates
Emirates Boeing 777-300ER departing Dublin Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
Emirates are suspending services to Guangzhou and Shanghai from Wednesday 5 February 2020, until further notice. Passengers with bookings on suspended flights will not be accepted for boarding at point of origin.
The service to Beijing will operate as normal, with some very tight restrictions. However, travellers will be subject to additional medical tests when departing Beijing Capital Airport airport from 5 February and should report to the airport 8 hours prior to their scheduled departure time.
The service to Hong Kong continues to operate as normal.
Emirates have publishes a full list of possible changes to tickets on affected routes. See https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/help/travel-updates.aspx/#3515 for a long list of where you can rebook to and the limitations (especially if you’re transiting to a 3rd country who have banned travellers who have been to China).
Etihad
Etihad Airbus A380 at London Heathrow Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Etihad will suspend services to Chengdu and Shanghai from the 5th February. Services to Beijing and Hong Kong will continue.
According to the airline, all passengers travelling from Beijing International Airport will be required to undergo comprehensive medical screening at the airport to ensure the safety of passengers before boarding.
If you’re affected, you will need to call the Etihad Call Centre in the UAE on +971 600 555 666 or in mainland China on +86 400882 2050, or by contacting their travel agent in case they have not booked their travel with Etihad directly.
Imposed Changes from up high
It seems these changes that have been imposed by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, who have chosen to suspend all flights to China bar Beijing Capital Airport. The move was taken by the UAE to confront the outbreak of the new coronavirus, and in coordination with international and national agencies including the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
Suspensions Elsewhere…
There have been further suspensions announced, with Scoot suspending all services to China from 8th February, with some services being suspended from the 5th February (along with ramping down services too).
Scoot Airbus A320 at Singapore Changi – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
A full list of suspensions is at https://www.flyscoot.com/en/announcements/suspension-of-flights-to-mainland-china
Remember, Singapore has imposed a new rule for all new visitors with recent travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or to transit through Singapore. In addition, The Singaporean Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has suspended the issuance of all forms of new visas to those with PRC passports. Singapore’s status as a visa-free transit facility for those with PRC passports will also be suspended.
Lufthansa Group has extended its suspension of services to China to 29th February 2020.
Lufthansa Airbus A80 and Boeing 747-400 at Frankfurt Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Flights to Beijing and Shanghai suspended until February 29 2020, whilst services to Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao will not be served until March 28. Hong Kong services are continuing as normal.
Continue to re-plan as needed.
With the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office still advising against all but essential travel to mainland China (and no travel to Hubei Province), the US Department of State still advising “Do Not Travel” and certain countries banning visitors who have been to China, you should be continuing to re-plan your trips and journeys
Take the opportunity to work with airlines and hotels – who should be more than willing to help re-accommodate you and your travel needs.
Also, please consider following World Health Organisation advice if you’re travelling on protecting yourself and taking basic preventative measures.
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