UAE Now Banking On Air Bridges To Stimulate Its Economy

The United Arab Emirates is now planning to establish air bridges between the emirates and a number of European countries.

With more than one eye on tourism as well as business travellers, the UAE is now in the planning stages for air bridges linking its airports with their counterparts in Europe. Should negotiations go well, both residents and expats should be able to travel without the fear of two-week quarantine periods. Australia and New Zealand were the first two countries which saw the value of this arrangement, and Cyprus is now promising to cover all healthcare costs for any tourist testing positive for covid-19 whilst on holiday.

Whilst even the experts can’t be certain a second wave of infection won’t take place, many countries are now attempting to create a new norm acceptable to tourists as well as to expats who need to travel regularly for work purposes without the strain of going through a period of quarantine. For countries with a low rate of infection and comparatively low death counts, it’s the only way to get their economies up and running before a recession sets in.

According to Emirates COO Adel al Redha, air bridges between two suitable countries are the best and most useful solution to the present situation, allowing business trips to take place and also stimulating tourism from overseas. Obviously, tight agreements need to be put in place before the two-week quarantine periods can be relaxed. Emirates is due to make an announcement by the end of this month at the latest, with business travellers as well as tourists hoping against hope negotiations will be successfully completed.