Emirates Airlines, the biggest airline company in the Middle East, will cover passengers' COVID-19-related medical costs in an attempt to boost confidence in air travel, the Dubai Media Office disclosed on Thursday.
Customers who fly with the Gulf carrier from now until October 31 this year can claim medical expenses of up to 150,000 euros ($174,000) and isolation costs of 100 euros a day for two weeks for the traveller and a companion should they be diagnosed with the virus during their travel, while away from home. The company will also give up to 1,500 euros towards the cost of a funeral.
This cover is provided free of charge by Emirates for all passengers in all classes, and does not require any registration or filling of any documents.
Emirates chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said they are aware that people are eager to fly as borders around the globe slowly re-open. However, the company seeks more flexibility and assurances should something unforeseen occurs during travel.
The Dubai-headquartered airlines, which operates a fleet of 270 wide-bodied commercial planes, suspended operations in late March as part of worldwide shutdowns to curb the spread of the disease. Two weeks later, the group resumed operations on a limited capacity and plans to fly to 58 cities around middle of August, down from more than 150 before the pandemic.
The announcement came shortly after the United Arab Emirates made testing compulsory for all inbound and transit passengers starting August 1, state media disclosed.
Recently, the Gulf airliner has reopened several destinations globally. Since Emirates depends solely on its international network, the launch of its medical expense program is very timely. The group also requires COVID-19 tests for some passengers, including those coming from the United States.
NEXtCARE will assist Emirates and will provide a physician to check on the passengers of Emirates and take care of them while they recover. As Emirates said, COVID-19 Assistance cover ceases on the day on which NEXtCARE's doctors consider that it's possible for the passenger to be repatriated.
Tim Clark, Emirates president, has pointed out that it could take around four years for operations to return to "some degree of normalcy," and the company could furlough up to 15 percent of its employees.
Before the pandemic hit, Emirates employed roughly 60,000 personnel, including 4,300 pilots and almost 22,000 cabin crew, its annual report disclosed. Emirates had reported a 21 percent increase in annual profits in March.
