![‘Wellness’ certificates may be the new ‘visas’ that permit air travel: Etihad](https://worldofaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/airbus-a320-etihad-ala-jul16-r.jpg)
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
![Etihad slapped with temporary ban from flying to China](https://worldofaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/airbus-a320-etihad-ala-jul16-r.jpg)
Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad has been slapped with an additional one-week ban on flying into China, after five passengers onboard a flight to Shanghai tested positive for COVID-19. The Chinese government has announced that the UAE flag carrier will have its Abu Dhabi to Shanghai route suspended from 24 August. The new ban extends upon
![Emirates hopeful of return to full route capacity by mid-2021](https://worldofaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Emirates-New-April.jpg)
Emirates has said that it intends to ramp up flight resumptions, in the hope of “serving 100 per cent” of its pre-COVID international network by mid-2021, according to Emirates chief operating officer Adel Al Redha. “I think we can easily say by summer 2021, we’ll be serving 100 per cent of our network destinations,” Al
![Emirates to pay for passengers’ COVID-related costs](https://worldofaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/319939-ead-7879-geo-1097335384-1920x1080-hr-1119-790358_1170-770x420.jpg)
State-owned carrier Emirates has announced that it will cover its customers’ medical and quarantine expenses, totalling up to almost $250,000, should a passenger fall ill with COVID-19 while travelling overseas. The provided cost includes medical expenses up to around $245,000, as well as contributing $160 per day for 14 days, towards the cost of government
![UAE to ban flights from Pakistan](https://worldofaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PIA_ATR_42-500_Asuspine-11_1170.jpg)
The United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) announced plans on Sunday to temporarily suspend flights from Pakistan, effective through to next Monday.
![Etihad makes world-first flight to Israel](https://worldofaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/airbus-a320-etihad-ala-jul16-r.jpg)
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