Airlines will need to meet a “harmonised” standard of health measures as air travel returns following the global pandemic, according to the CEO of Etihad Airways. “I can see that wellness certification will become a necessary function of how the whole of the world comes back to flying,” Tony Douglas told CNBC’s Hadley Gamble last
The airline hopes to be able to service 58 destinations including New York, Barcelona and Mumbai after a relaxing of restrictions in its Abu Dhabi base
Amidst a host of firsts for the aviation industry, the COVID-19 outbreak has seen Etihad Airways operate the first direct commercial flight from the UAE to Israel. A twin-jet Boeing 787-9 departed Abu Dhabi on 19 May bound for Tel Aviv, carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies destined for Palestinian communities in the West Bank
Etihad has been providing 15,000 meals a day to people self-isolating, under quarantine or involved in frontline medical treatment for coronavirus.
Etihad Airways is testing a number of automated medical scanners in partnership with Australian company Elenium.
The UAE has enacted its travel ban 24 hours early with no flights allowed to leave the country effective immediately. Australia has also upped it measures banning all international travel for its citizens.
