Dubai-based airline Emirates is offering all passengers free cover for Covid-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs.
Emirates launched the offer today regardless of destination or class of travel, saying: “The airline will cover medical expenses of up to €150,000 and quarantine costs of €100 per day for 14 days.”
The cover applies to passengers “diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel, while they are away from home” and extends up to 31 days from an initial flight taken by the end of October.
The carrier hailed the move as an “industry-leading initiative to boost travel confidence”.
Passengers travelling from Emirates’ base in Dubai to the UK remain subject to government quarantine restrictions which require 14 days in self-isolation on arrival.
The UK quarantine restrictions, which include passengers transiting through Dubai, are subject to review on July 27 but are not expected to change in relation to Dubai or transit passengers.
Emirates Group chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “Emirates is proud to lead the way in boosting confidence for international travel.
“We know people are yearning to fly as borders around the world gradually re-open, but they are seeking flexibility and assurances should something unforeseen happen during their travel.”
He said: “Emirates has worked hard to put in place measures to mitigate risk of infection, and we have revamped our booking policies to offer flexibility.
“We are now taking it to the next level by being the first in the industry to offer our customers free global cover for Covid-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs should they incur these costs during their travel.
“It is an investment on our part, but we are putting our customers first.”
The cover is effective from today for passengers flying on Emirates up to October 31 and valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey.
In a statement, the airline noted: “This means Emirates customers can continue to benefit from the assurance of this cover even if they travel onwards to another city after arriving at their Emirates destination.”
Passengers do not need to register or fill in any forms before they travel.
Any passenger diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel “simply has to contact a dedicated hotline”.
Details of what Covid-19 related expenses are covered are available here