The Gulf carrier on Wednesday (13 May) announced plans to operate scheduled flights to nine destinations from its Dubai base, starting 21 May.

These include Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne.

Travellers will only be accepted on these flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination country.

Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ chief operating officer, said: “We are working closely with the authorities to plan the resumption of operations to additional destinations.

“We have implemented additional measures at the airport in coordination with the relevant authorities in respect to social distancing and sanitisation. The safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities, remain our top priority.”

At Dubai International airport, customers and employees will have their temperatures checked via thermal scanners. Protective barriers have been installed at check-in counters to provide additional safety during interaction.

Gloves and masks are mandatory for all passengers and employees at the airport. In addition, Emirates’ cabin crew, boarding agents and ground staff, who interact directly with travellers, will wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a protective disposable gown and safety visor.

Social distancing will be enforced through physical indicators on the ground in waiting areas at the airport to ensure travellers maintain a safe distance.

Additional in-flight measures have been introduced, including a reduced onboard service; removal of printed reading material; an insistence on checked baggage; air filtration; and enhancing cleaning and disinfection.