Etihad is suspending all online sales for flights before June 16.
The Abu Dhabi airline has closed bookings on flights departing in May and the first two weeks of June. It is now only accepting new bookings for flights scheduled to fly from June 16.
This, however, remains subject to change, should current flight suspensions be extended.
The national airline of the UAE recently announced that it was planning to resume flights from May 16. But again, this was reliant on flight suspensions being lifted by UAE authorities.
Until today, travellers could book flights on Etihad’s website for travel in the last two weeks of May to several destinations. These included India, the UK, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the US.
No official updates have come from the UAE government regarding the easing of travel restrictions, and Etihad has now taken the decision to suspend flight sales for travel before June 16.
"To minimise any potential disruption or discomfort to customers, only flexible and refundable fares will be offered after April 29, 2020, for travel between June 16 and August 31, 2020," an Etihad spokesperson told The National.
“The network is under continuous review, and Etihad is monitoring the situation and following UAE and international government and regulatory authority directives.”
Travellers who had booked flights with Etihad for travel in May can rebook flights for another date or request Etihad credit or a refund.
Etihad continues to operate special repatriation flights from Abu Dhabi to several destinations. Several of these flights are now scheduled to run until the end of May.
Dublin and New York are the latest places to be added to the repatriation flight schedule. A flight will take Irish nationals in the country to Dublin on Friday, May 1. For US citizens hoping to return to New York, Eithad will operate a flight on Monday, May 4.
Etihad is also operating cargo flights and repatriating Emirati citizens from overseas.
UAE nationals wishing to return home should contact their local embassy or consulate.
