UAE airlines resume flights to Phuket

The Thai island will reopen for vaccinated travellers from 1 July

UAE-based airlines Etihad Airways and Emirates have announced that they will resume flights to Phuket, Thailand, as of next month.

Etihad Airways will recommence its services on 1 July, while Emirates will restart its four weekly flights to the resort island from 2 July.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand announced that travellers from low-risk countries who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to fly direct to the popular holiday destination without having to quarantine from 1 July as part of its pilot Phuket Sandbox programme. Children under six are exempt.

Tourists will be allowed to travel freely around the island, although there is a minimum stay requirement of seven days before they can go anywhere else in the country.

 A statement released by Emirates said: “The popular Thai destination remains a favourite among travellers from the Middle East, Europe and beyond.” 

Thailand is not currently on Abu Dhabi’s green list which means anyone travelling from the capital to Phuket will have to quarantine on return.

Both airlines have been gradually restoring their networks with the announcements of travel corridors and the reopening of borders across the world.

Visit www.emirates.com and www.etihad.com for more information