UK bans flights from busy Dubai hub as new virus strain spreads

<p>
Britain has decided to ban passenger flights to and from the United Arab Emirates from Friday, closing the world's busiest airline route from Dubai to London due to the rapid spread of the new strain of coronavirus.</p>
<p>
Passengers who have been in or transited through the UAE will be denied entry, except British, Irish and third country nationals with residence rights who must self-isolate for 10 days at home, UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Thursday.</p>
<p>
Emirates and Etihad Airways said on their websites they would suspend all UK passenger flights from 1300 GMT on Friday when the ban takes effect. Dubai airport, in a statement, advised passengers booked on flights due to arrive in the UK after the ban comes into effect to not go to the airport and instead contact their airline.</p>
<p>
The UK transport department advised British nationals currently in the United Arab Emirates to make use of indirect commercial airline routes if they wished to return to Britain.</p>
<p>
Due to border closures caused by Covid-19, Dubai to London was the world's busiest international route in January with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, according to airline data provider OAG.</p>
<p>
Emirates and Etihad normally carry large numbers of passengers connecting from Britain to destinations like Australia through their airport hubs. The Australian government said it will add more charter flights from Britain if needed as a result of the Emirates and Etihad cancellations.</p>