On advice from the local Government, Etihad Airways has now moved to temporarily suspend all flights to, from and via its home hub of Abu Dhabi. This follows almost daily announcements from airlines around the world who continue to react to the ongoing threat from Covid-19 and its profound effect on travel.
This decision has been made to limit the spread of this dangerous disease, opting for an initial 14-day cancellation of all relevant services from Wednesday 25th March. This decision will of course be monitored closely, with any necessary changes to be announced subject to further directives by the relevant authorities.
Cargo and emergency evacuation flights will be exempt from this suspension.
“These are unprecedented times and unprecedented decisions are being made by governments, authorities and companies, including Etihad, to contain the spread of the coronavirus and to help minimise its effects around the world,” said Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group. “We stand with our loyal customers, who are having to endure disruption and inconvenience to their travel and their daily lives, and we dedicate all our efforts and resources to ensuring we do all we can to assist them with their travel planning during this challenging period.”
Guests will be notified if their flight is cancelled. However, prior to proceeding to the airport, all guests should still check the status of their flights, using the Etihad Airways Flight Tracker here.
The airline will announce the resumption of services through its usual channels once restrictions are lifted.
For passengers impacted by flight cancellations, procedures are in place to assist customers with their requirements until normal services resume. Customers should visit the dedicated easy-to-use web page relating to these matters at etihad.com.
The move follows similar cancellations by Emirates, with the Dubai-based airline opting to suspend a large majority of their passenger operations.
