Long-haul carrier Emirates said Sunday it has dramatically cut its passenger flight destinations from 145 locations to just 13 countries. It's a pivotal move that reflects the dramatic slowdown in traffic through the airline's hub in Dubai, the world's busiest international airport, due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus.
The state-owned carrier said it will keep flying to the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Australia and Canada, among a few other select destinations. The company had just hours earlier announced a suspension of all passenger flights, but said it reversed that decision after receiving requests from governments and customers to support the repatriation of travelers.
The United Arab Emirates, which is home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has all but closed its borders to travelers with exceptions for those transiting through or for returning Emirati citizens.
The state-owned carrier said it will continue to operate cargo flights through its fleet of Boeing 777 freighters for the transport of essential goods, including medical supplies across the world. It also said the company would reduce salaries for the majority of its employees for three months, but will not cut jobs.
Airlines around the globe have greatly reduced their capacity in response to the pandemic and travel regulations. Many carriers are struggling to cover their costs and pay salaries with their fleets grounded and countries shutting their borders to travelers.
Only a handful have completely suspended flights, such as Royal Jordanian, which is conducting only cargo flights to comply with government regulations and entry bans. Panama’s Copa Airlines announced Saturday that it has suspended all of its flights until late April. Austrian Airlines also terminated its regular flights this week on a temporary basis.
But some suspensions are permanent, given the drop in demand: Trans State Airlines, which had already planned to close by the end of the year, will cease operations in April because of the impact of coronavirus.
In the Middle East, airlines have lost more than $7 billion in revenue as of March 11, according to the International Air Transport Association. The group says 16,000 passenger flights have been cancelled in the Middle East since the end of January.
Emirates said in a statement it has tried to maintain passenger flights “for as long as feasible" to help travelers return home amid all the travel bans, restrictions and lockdowns.
Emirates Group CEO and Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum had said in an initial statement Sunday that the company found itself in a situation where it “cannot viably operate passenger services until countries re-open their borders and travel confidence returns.”
He described the situation as “an unprecedented crisis” and said “the world has literally gone into quarantine” due to the virus and the illness it causes, called COVID-19, which has infected more than 300,000 people around the world.
Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms and recover within a few weeks, but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well. It can cause severe illness, including pneumonia and even death in some patients, particularly in the elderly and those with underlying health problems.
Al Maktoum said the company was doing well financially at the start of the year, but the impact from the virus “has brought all that to a sudden and painful halt over the past six weeks.”
Emirates Group, which also operates an airport ground services company called dnata at locations around the world, had previously urged employees to take paid and unpaid leave. Basic salaries for the majority of Emirates Group employees were being reduced for three months, with cuts ranging from 25-50%.
The company said employees will continue to be paid other allowances during this time. Junior-level employees would be exempt from the basic salary reduction. The president of Emirates, Tim Clark, and the president of dnata, Gary Chapman, will take a full basic salary cut for three months.
Emirates posted profits in its most recent fiscal year of $237 million, down from $762 million the year before. The airline’s aggressive expansion and growth helped transform its hub at Dubai International Airport into the world’s busiest for international passengers. Emirates carried around 58 million passengers last year.
AP Newsroom
Mon Mar 23 2020
![Dubai's Emirates cuts passenger flights to 13 destinations Dubai's Emirates cuts passenger flights to 13 destinations](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-03/61584928564_Emirates.jpg)
In this Dec. 11, 2019 file photo, an Emirates jetliner comes in for landing at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo/AP
![Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/41660792602_jokowi.jpg)
Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama
Presiden Jokowi dijadual bertemu rakan sejawatannya dari UAE pada 17 Julai.
![Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/81673948647_TBGAVEL.jpg)
Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan
Kesemua mereka dakwa mengikut Seksyen 395 Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara maksimum 20 tahun dan boleh dikenakan denda dan sebat, jika sabit kesalahan.
![Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266 Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721119877_SultanIbrahim.jpg)
Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja (MRR) ke-266 di Istana Negarahari ini.
![Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721108165_ADUNRembiaPN.jpg)
Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi
Speaker DUN Melaka, Datuk Ibrahim Durum berkata, setakat ini pihaknya belum dimaklumkan secara rasmi dan perbincangan berhubung perkara itu akan diadakan.
![Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721119130_wargaemasbersalah.jpg)
Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar
Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini mensabitkan kesalahan seorang warga emas atas dua pertuduhan pindaan membunuh abang dan kakak iparnya dua tahun lalu.
![PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721120782_TBMASERMIEYATI.jpg)
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin berkata tempoh itu diberikan susulan laporan audit berkaitan, baru dibentangkan pada minggu lepas.
![Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721118437_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi
Penambahbaikan aspek perundangan akan diteliti kerajaan, termasuk mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa kementerian berkaitan dalam masa terdekat.
![Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/81575261818_GobindSinghDeo.jpg)
Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind
Beliau menegaskan bahawa pelaksanaan e-Invois itu akan memberi manfaat, termasuk meningkatkan pendapatan PKS.
![Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai? Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721117483_KimPangon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?
Bekas pengendali skuad negara itu dilaporkan sedang menjadi calon utama untuk mengisi jawatan pengurus kelab gergasi Korea Selatan, Ulsan Hyundai.
![Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/41482504881_TamanTasikTitiwang.jpg)
Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau
Daripada keluasan itu, sebanyak 977.55 hektar tanah telah diwartakan, manakala 1,416.24 hektar tanah lapang yang berpotensi akan dan sedang dalam proses diwartakan.
![Singapura mahu kukuhkan perkongsian, majukan kepentingan negara, kata PM baharu Singapura mahu kukuhkan perkongsian, majukan kepentingan negara, kata PM baharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715776284_tbLawrenceWong.jpg)
Singapura mahu kukuhkan perkongsian, majukan kepentingan negara, kata PM baharu
Wong berkata kerajaannya akan memperkukuhkan perkongsian "dekat dan jauh" sambil memajukan kepentingan negara di tengah-tengah persaingan dan ketegangan yang meningkat di arena antarabangsa.
![Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/61691941883_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Isnin, 6 Mei 2024.
![Kargo udara global catat pertumbuhan berganda pada Mac - IATA Kargo udara global catat pertumbuhan berganda pada Mac - IATA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/41670227180_TBIATA.jpg)
Kargo udara global catat pertumbuhan berganda pada Mac - IATA
Industri kargo udara global mencatatkan 23.1 bilion tan kargo kilometer (CTK) pada Mac, mewakili pertumbuhan 10.3 peratus dari tahun ke tahun, menurut Persatuan Pengangkutan Udara Antarabangsa (IATA).
![Kerjasama dua hala India-Malaysia bergantung kepada kepercayaan, kebolehpercayaan bersama - Menteri Luar Kerjasama dua hala India-Malaysia bergantung kepada kepercayaan, kebolehpercayaan bersama - Menteri Luar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/51711546261_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Kerjasama dua hala India-Malaysia bergantung kepada kepercayaan, kebolehpercayaan bersama - Menteri Luar
Memupuk kepercayaan dan kebolehpercayaan bersama sebagai asas untuk kerjasama dua hala antara India dan Malaysia adalah sangat penting, kata Menteri Luar India, Dr S. Jaishankar.
![Akta Syarikat (Pindaan) 2024 berkuat kuasa 1 April - Armizan Akta Syarikat (Pindaan) 2024 berkuat kuasa 1 April - Armizan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/81711524606_TBSSMjpg.jpg)
Akta Syarikat (Pindaan) 2024 berkuat kuasa 1 April - Armizan
Akta Syarikat (Pindaan) 2024 akan dikuatkuasakan pada 1 April ini selepas diwartakan pada 2 Feb, kecuali empat seksyen dalam akta berkenaan.
![Kadar rizab tenaga di Semenanjung diunjur 28-36 peratus bagi tahun 2024-2030 Kadar rizab tenaga di Semenanjung diunjur 28-36 peratus bagi tahun 2024-2030](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/41710760336_Kadarrizabtenaga.jpg)
Kadar rizab tenaga di Semenanjung diunjur 28-36 peratus bagi tahun 2024-2030
Kadar rizab margin tenaga di Semenanjung bagi tahun 2024 hingga 2030 diunjurkan antara 28 hingga 36 peratus.
![LADA sasar ketibaan tiga juta penumpang ke Langkawi tahun ini LADA sasar ketibaan tiga juta penumpang ke Langkawi tahun ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/61700208567_langkawi.jpg)
LADA sasar ketibaan tiga juta penumpang ke Langkawi tahun ini
Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (LADA) menyasarkan untuk meningkatkan ketibaan penumpang ke Langkawi kepada tiga juta tahun ini, selepas mencapai kira-kira 2.82 juta ketibaan penumpang pada 2023.
![Jumlah pelancong Turki ke Malaysia meningkat 10.8 peratus Jumlah pelancong Turki ke Malaysia meningkat 10.8 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/71707568472_RoslanAbdulRahman.jpg)
Jumlah pelancong Turki ke Malaysia meningkat 10.8 peratus
Jumlah pelancong Turkiye yang datang ke Malaysia dari Januari hingga November 2023 menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak 10.8 peratus atau 15,623 orang berbanding 14,096 bagi tempoh sama pada 2019.
![UMNO junjung kasih kepada Al-Sultan Abdullah UMNO junjung kasih kepada Al-Sultan Abdullah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41706620582_Agong.jpg)
UMNO junjung kasih kepada Al-Sultan Abdullah
UMNO menjunjung kasih kepada Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yang telah menyempurnakan tempoh pemerintahan Seri Paduka sebagai Yang di-Pertuan Agong ke-16, hari ini.
![PM yakin rakyat rasai hikmah keadilan dan kebijaksanaan Al-Sultan Abdullah PM yakin rakyat rasai hikmah keadilan dan kebijaksanaan Al-Sultan Abdullah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/51706368295_TBAgong.jpg)
PM yakin rakyat rasai hikmah keadilan dan kebijaksanaan Al-Sultan Abdullah
Anwar yakin bahawa seluruh rakyat merasai hikmah keadilan dan kebijaksanaan Al-Sultan Abdullah dalam memastikan keamanan dapat dinikmati oleh semua sepanjang pemerintahan Seri Paduka.