Subject to UAE government approvals, Etihad plans to resume flights to 42 destinations starting next month.

Besides introducing wellness ambassadors in airports and onboard flights, Etihad will encourage self check-in and insist on pre-flight "fit to fly" screening.

Automated health screening will include respiratory, heart rate and temperature checks. Once analysed, guests will be allowed to proceed to check-in – if cleared.

Those who fail automatic health screening will be subject to a secondary assessment.

Meanwhile, at its Abu Dhabi hub, touch points will be reduced wherever possible through innovations such as no-touch lifts and self-cleaning handrails.

PPE for staff will be standard at all stages of the customer journey, while passengers will be guided towards contactless means of completing their travel.

Thermal cameras will screen passengers when they approach security; anyone with an abnormal reading will be guided to new on the ground health and safety teams.

At departure gates, passengers will board row by row to avoid additional queuing.