According to internal correspondence gathered by Reuters, Emirates -- one of the world's largest international airline companies -- will suspend all flights to France, Germany, New York, Nigeria and New Jersey in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The move of the Dubai-based airlines, in a bid to forestall the global health crisis, would push its cumulative road closures past the 100 mark. On Friday the United Arab Emirates reported their first two deaths from the disease. The total number of confirmed UAE infections stands at 153, of which 38 have recovered.
Based on an updated list posted on its website on Saturday that included previously announced affected routes, the state-owned airline is temporarily ceasing services to 104 destinations, accounting for 65 percent of its global network. As of December 2019, it flew from its Dubai hub into 159 international destinations.
The flight stoppage will to New York JFK and New Jersey's Newark EWR will commence March 24 until further notice, another company email said. Emirates did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways, on the other hand, said it was suspending flights from March 21 to Pakistan's Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, and from March 22 to Belgium's Brussels and from March 24 to Switzerland's Zurich.
In reaction to the latest developments in the COVID-19 outbreak around the world, Emirates is taking additional steps that go beyond industry and regulatory standards "to ensure the safety and comfort of our customers," the firm said in a statement.
Several nations are practically locked up as governments desperately try to contain the virus from further causing more fatalities and damage to economies. Some countries impose strict conditions for admission, including prohibiting the admission of foreigners, and others have totally shut down the ground and air operations.
Emirates allows workers to take unpaid leaves and has halted recruiting, advising staff that the epidemic may be the greatest obstacle they have faced in years.
The Middle East airline market is currently sinking in a liquidity crisis, endangering hundreds of thousands of jobs across the region because of the virus outbreak that has disrupted global demand for travel, analysts pointed out on Thursday.
Meanwhile, UAE authorities ordered the suspension of the issuance of visas upon arrival, and prohibited returning foreigners who are legal residents but are currently outside the country.
UAE officials also reported that beaches and other public places, including parks, movie theaters and gyms, were being temporarily shut down to prevent the spread of the virus.
