Emirates airline, Etihad Airways and flydubai lift mask rules for flights to UAE

People travelling from the Emirates may still need to wear face coverings depending on rules at their destination

Emirates and flydubai updated their Covid-19 protocols on Tuesday following the UAE government's decision to drop mask mandates in most indoor places. Photo: Emirates

Emirates airline, Etihad Airways and flydubai have announced that passengers are no longer required to wear masks on flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The three companies updated their Covid-19 protocols on Tuesday following the UAE government's decision to drop mask mandates in most indoor places.

“Wearing a face mask is optional in the UAE and on Emirates flights,” Emirates said on its website.

“If you are travelling from or transiting through Dubai International, the mask rules of your destination will apply throughout your journey.”

Flydubai said wearing masks was no longer mandatory on its flights to the emirate.

“Effective from September 28 [Wednesday], passengers travelling to Dubai do not need to wear a face mask while on board their flight,” guidance on the airline's website said.

“At the airport, wearing a face mask is optional and not mandatory.”

It said travellers flying out of Dubai would have to follow mask rules in place at the destination they were travelling to.

“The requirement for passengers travelling from or through Dubai to wear a face mask is determined by the rules applicable at the final destination or transit point.”

Abu Dhabi flights

Etihad Airways said on Tuesday that masks on its flights are optional “following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Abu Dhabi”.

For outbound flights, the national airline said masks “will only be required for passengers flying to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Philippines, South Korea, Seychelles” as well as Canada until September 30.

Face coverings will be optional in most indoor public places from Wednesday, the UAE's crisis authority has said.

People will be required to wear masks only in places of worship, hospitals and on public transport.

The decision was announced in a televised briefing on Monday.

The use of masks in indoor public places has been in effect for two and a half years.

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