Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has secured approval from the Russian Civil Aviation Authority to operate five special charter flights between Abu Dhabi and Moscow between Saturday 21 March and Wednesday 25 March.
The flights will aid in the repatriation of Russian and UAE citizens, as well as other nationals transiting through Abu Dhabi, to their home countries following the temporary suspension of services between the two cities due to current COVID-19 novel coronavirus travel restrictions.
The overnight flights will be operated by widebody Boeing 787-9 and narrowbody Airbus A321 aircraft.
Only Russian citizens will be permitted to fly on the Abu Dhabi - Moscow sector, while non-Russian passengers of any nationality will be allowed to fly via Abu Dhabi from Moscow, provided there are connecting flights available, and no travel restrictions in place which impede entry to their end destinations. Only UAE citizens will be permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Flight EY 65 will depart Abu Dhabi at 2.15am for each of the charters, arriving in Moscow at 6.55am, while the return flight EY64 is scheduled to depart Moscow at 1.35am, arriving back in Abu Dhabi at 5.55am.
