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Emirates resumes regular flights with new safety rules, free hygiene kits to all passengers
Emirates has restarted regular passenger flights from Dubai airports with new safety procedures in place for travellers.
On Thursday, the Dubai-based airline launched flights from the United Arab Emirates to nine different destinations: London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne.
“Emirates is implementing a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the traveller’s journey, to enhance the sanitisation of all touchpoints, and ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees,” chief operating officer Adel Al Redha was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“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. Every measure implemented is an additional reduction in risk, and taken altogether, our aim is really to make flying as safe as possible.”
Free hygiene kits at 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, whilst only masks are mandated on Emirates flights.
On arrival at the airport, thermal scanners at various areas monitor the temperatures of all passengers and employees.
Physical distancing indicators have been placed on the ground and at waiting areas to help travellers maintain the necessary distance at check-in, immigration, boarding and transfer areas.
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 through Dubai International Airport and 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.
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 PPEs.
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 minutes. 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 will resume its service with hot meals, using high quality, cutlery and crockery, sterilised before each use.
Cabin baggage have 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’ modern aircraft cabins have been fitted with advanced HEPA air filters which remove 99.97 per cent of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens and germs from cabin air for a healthier and safer on-board environment.
After its journey and on landing in Dubai, each aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure safety and proper sanitation.
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 return 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.
“We are working with all the stakeholders in Dubai, including the airport, immigration, health and aviation authorities to implement such measures, and we will continue to review and consult expert advice for any development and changes. We are all aware that we have to adapt to different practices during this pandemic in our day to day activities,” Al Redha said.
“All these measures, in combination with the proactive pandemic management strategies that the UAE has taken, show the seriousness with which we are taking the health and safety of our local and global communities and will give confidence to the public.”
Emirates began its service to the Maldives in May 1987 using a single Boeing 727 aircraft.
With three times daily non-stop service between Dubai and Male, Emirates has since become a major airline operating to the Maldives and a preferred airline for tourists visiting the island nation from far corners of the world, especially Europe.
However, all international airlines have suspended their operations to the Maldives after the island nation enforced a blanket suspension of on-arrival visa late March in a bid to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
On March 8, Maldives reported its first cases of the novel coronavirus, as two hotel employees tested positive for Covid-19 at a luxury resort in the archipelago.
Eighteen more cases — all foreigners working or staying resorts and liveaboard vessels except five Maldivians who had returned from abroad — were later identified.
A six-case cluster of locals, detected in capital Male on April 15, confirmed community transmission of the coronavirus. Several more clusters have since been identified, bringing the total number of confirmed case in the Maldives to 1,216.
Four deaths have been reported and 91 have made full recoveries.
Constance Hospitality has been recognised in the 2026 Traveller Review Awards by Booking.com, with its Maldivian resorts achieving some of the highest scores within the group’s portfolio.
In the Maldives, Constance Halaveli Maldives received an outstanding score of 9.8 out of 10, while Constance Moofushi Maldives achieved 9.7. The ratings, based on verified guest reviews, reflect consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service delivery.
Constance Halaveli Maldives, known for its spacious overwater and beachfront villas, personalised service and refined dining concepts, continues to perform strongly among travellers. Constance Moofushi Maldives, positioned as a barefoot chic resort with an all-inclusive concept, also maintains a high guest approval rating, supported by its diving experiences and relaxed island atmosphere.
While the wider Constance portfolio across the Indian Ocean was recognised, the Maldives properties stand out as the group’s highest-rated resorts in the 2026 awards cycle.
Commenting on the recognition, Jean-Jacques Vallet, Chief Executive Officer of Constance Hospitality, stated that the awards reflect the professionalism and commitment of the teams on the ground. He added that guest feedback remains central to maintaining service standards and delivering consistent experiences across the group’s destinations.
The recognition reinforces the position of Constance Halaveli Maldives and Constance Moofushi Maldives as leading performers within the Maldives’ competitive luxury hospitality sector.
Sun Siyam Resorts is marking the Lunar New Year across its Luxury, Privé and Lifestyle collections with a coordinated programme of cultural experiences, festive dining, music and family-focused activities from 15 to 20 February 2026. Celebrating the Year of the Horse, each resort’s programme reflects its individual character while embracing the spirit of renewal and togetherness associated with the season.
Siyam World – Lifestyle Collection
At Siyam World, Lunar New Year celebrations combine cultural heritage with contemporary island energy. A highlight of the programme is a live showcase featuring Chinese-inspired DJ sets paired with the traditional guzheng, creating a fusion of electronic rhythms and classical melody. Performances by the Chaozhou Shantou lion dance troupe add further cultural depth, with guests invited to observe, participate and learn traditional movements.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli – Lifestyle Collection
Sun Siyam Olhuveli is presenting a relaxed Lunar New Year programme shaped by traditional symbolism and island living. Throughout the week, the resort will host family-friendly cultural activities, traditional performances and live music. Red-themed décor and festive elements will set the tone, while dragon displays and cultural showcases bring movement to the island’s central spaces. The celebrations peak on 16 and 17 February with performances by DJ Slim Belghith, whose international sound will accompany evening festivities.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli – Privé Collection
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, the Year of the Horse will be marked through a programme that combines cultural traditions with family-oriented experiences. The Kids Club will host themed activities including red envelope crafting, lantern making, zodiac-inspired art and traditional games. The Fire Horse Pool Party at Chemistry will bring families together with music and refreshments. Dining highlights include hot pot lunches and dinners, along with a dedicated Chinese section titled “Flavours of Fortune” at the Aqua Orange buffet. Guests may also enjoy seasonal spa treatments at Ocean Spa designed to promote balance and renewal.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef – Privé Collection
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef will conclude its celebrations with a Grand Spring Gala Dinner featuring international cuisine alongside Chinese specialities. The evening includes a traditional lion dance performance, filling the island with movement and symbolic gestures intended to welcome prosperity and good fortune.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – Luxury Collection
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Lunar New Year celebrations will blend Chinese traditions with Maldivian island experiences. Dining features include beachfront seafood platters, Blue Lobster barbecues and traditional hot pot dinners, complemented by chocolate, cheese and champagne tastings.
Younger guests may take part in dragon dance workshops and lantern painting sessions, while signature resort experiences such as Sunset Jet Car rides, Cinema by Moonlight on a private boat and floating breakfasts add further variety. Evening turndown moments incorporate local Maldivian touches, reflecting the resort’s approach to cultural exchange. With 15 dining venues, family-oriented villas and dedicated adults-only spaces, the resort’s programme is designed to accommodate a broad range of guests.
Commenting on the celebrations, Ahmed Naufal, Group Director of Business Development, noted that China remains an important market for Sun Siyam. He stated that the Lunar New Year celebrations provide an opportunity to honour Chinese traditions while delivering experiences consistent with the group’s standards of hospitality.
Across its Maldivian portfolio, Sun Siyam Resorts presents Lunar New Year as a season of cultural appreciation, shared celebration and renewal by the sea.
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has announced a partnership with LUX Tennis, strengthening the resort’s established tennis offering and introducing plans for a new padel court. The collaboration expands the resort’s active lifestyle programme, with a particular focus on families and multi-generational travel.
The St. Regis brand draws on the legacy of the Astor family, founders of the original St. Regis New York, whose Gilded Age lifestyle celebrated refined leisure and sporting pursuits. Tennis, in particular, became a symbol of elegance within the Astor social circle, reflecting a culture shaped by hospitality, recreation and sophistication. This heritage continues across the St. Regis portfolio today, where classic sports remain an integral part of the brand’s identity.
Set within the resort’s private island environment, the enhanced LUX Tennis programme is designed to elevate on-island tennis experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. The programme features expert-led coaching, bespoke clinics and visiting residencies by internationally recognised professionals, offering guests opportunities to train, play and engage with elite talent in an accessible and inspiring setting.
Confirmed visiting professionals include Angelique Kerber, three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, who will visit from 29 to 31 March 2026, and Feliciano López, former Spanish champion with a career-high singles ranking of world number 12, scheduled from 16 to 17 May 2026.
The expanded tennis programme is designed to integrate seamlessly with island life, offering everything from relaxed family matches and junior-friendly coaching to more focused sessions for experienced players. Activities are structured to complement time spent at the beach, spa experiences and family dining.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort features 77 beachfront and overwater villas, each with a private pool, alongside facilities such as the John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater three-bedroom villa in the Maldives. Guests also have access to the award-winning Iridium Spa, six dining venues and a private yacht available for charter, reinforcing the resort’s positioning as a destination for both leisure and active pursuits.
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