Emirates, Etihad to resume transit flights, Qatar Airways adds more

It has since allowed a few, limited flights, while domestic restrictions such as the closure of shopping centres have been lifted. Foreign citizens remain banned from entering the Gulf Arab state except those holding UAE residency, who require UAE government approval before returning. Qatar Airways also said on Thursday it was now flying more than 170 weekly flights to over 40 destinations, after announcing in May it would run operations to up to 80 destinations by the end of June. The airline has maintained transit flights to around 30 destinations since March, with Qatar also banning foreign citizens from entering. The coronavirus pandemic, which has seen countries around the world shut their borders as they went into lockdown, has decimated the global airline industry as demand was crushed. Many countries continue to enforce tight entry restrictions, including some countries banning foreign visitors. Airlines around the world have warned it will take years for travel demand to recover.