Emirates resumes flights to Casablanca, Moscow

Sep 14, 2020

The Dubai-based airline Emirates is resuming flights to destinations in Morocco and Russia this month. The Gulf carrier continues to rebuild its network after receiving cash from the government.

On Friday, Emirates announced it would resume flights to Casablanca on Sept. 18. By that time, the airline will be flying regularly to 14 African airports. Emirates also began flights to Moscow on Friday, which brings its European destinations to 26, the airline said in a press release.

Emirates’ hub Dubai is trying to boost tourism amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Visitors can enter the city provided they show a recent negative COVID-19 test. All travelers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whether they are entering or transiting, must now have a negative COVID-19 test to fly.

The UAE recorded its highest number of daily COVID-19 cases in two months on Aug. 31, but the country remains open.

Emirates is operating regularly scheduled flights to multiple continents but is still struggling financially due to reduced revenue from the downturn in global travel. In August, the government of Dubai provided the airline with $2 billion to help it stay afloat. Emirates also offered employees unpaid leave again last month and cut jobs in June. Other Gulf carriers, including Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi and Qatar Airways, have faced similar difficulties.