This article is has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated 18 October 2021

The world is reopening following months of global flight restrictions. Airline capacity limitations is lifted. Due to COVID-19, many airlines have implemented precautionary measures at the airport and aboard aircraft to ensure customer safety during the coronavirus pandemic. Following the disastrous second wave of COVID-19 infections, there has been a resurgence in aviation travel.

Emirates Airline

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

The most prominent Emirates destinations this season are shown below with Dubai being Emirate’s national carrier that operates flights.

Dubai

  • All travellers travelling to Dubai from any place of origin (including GCC nations) must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before departure. A licenced facility in the passenger’s departure country must issue COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificates. Certificates that have already been submitted for travel to another location, even though they are still valid, cannot be used for reentry.
  • For passengers arriving from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, it is mandatory that the COVID‑19 PCR report includes a QR code linked to the original report for verification purposes. The QR code must be presented at check‑in and to representatives of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
  • Test exemptions:
    • UAE nationals are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 PCR test before departing for Dubai. They must be tested on arrival in Dubai, irrespective if they are holding a valid negative COVID‑19 RT‑PCR certificate from the point of origin.
    • Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test.
  • Requirements for passengers arriving in Dubai from the above mentioned countries:
    • A valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted within 48 hours, validity should be calculated from the time the sample was collected, prior to departure from an approved health facility
    • A rapid PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure

 

Saudi Arabia

  • All passengers must fill out a health disclaimer form on board and give it to the Airport Health Control Centre when they arrive.
  • All non Saudi citizens must register their vaccination data online before travelling to Saudi Arabia. Passengers must present confirmation of registration either as a printed certificate or on their mobile device at check in.
  • Passengers who have been vaccinated are free from quarantine if they can show documentation of receiving the appropriate dosages of the following vaccinations, which have been approved by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health:
    • Two doses of Pfizer
    • Two doses of Oxford AstraZeneca
    • Two doses of Moderna
    • One dose of Johnson & Johnson
  • Vaccinated passengers:
    • Saudi residents:
      • vaccinated against COVID‑19 and show Immune in the Tawakkalna app.
    • Residents:
      • received all doses of a vaccine authorised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
      • received all doses of a vaccine approved by WHO but not authorised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and received a booster dose from one of the approved vaccines in KSA (provided that the dose received outside the Kingdom has been registered on MOH platform
    • Non‑residents and first‑time visitors:
      • above 12 years old and have completed the required doses of a vaccine approved in KSA.
      • received all doses of a vaccine approved by WHO but not authorised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and received a booster dose from one of the approved vaccines in KSA.
        • Both categories of passengers must provide proof vaccination in accordance with MHO requirements, and must register on the Quddum platform.
  • Non Vaccinated passengers:
    • above 18 years old must home quarantine for a period of 5 days and take a COVID‑19 PCR test on day 5. Children below the age of 8 years are exempted from PCR testing on day 5.

Bahrain

  • Passengers seeking entrance to the Kingdom of Bahrain must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code beginning August 29, 2021. The test must be performed no later than 72 hours before travel. There are no exceptions to the need for all travellers over the age of 6 to undertake COVID-19 PCR testing upon arrival and on days 5 and 10 of their stay in Bahrain.
  • Passengers must present proof of vaccination or immunity status in the form of a paper certificate provided by public health authorities in the country where the vaccinations were delivered, or an official mobile app recognised by Bahrain’s Ministry of Health.
  • Exemptions (not applicable for those who are departing from red list countries):
    • Children under six years of age.
    • Passengers who have been fully immunised or who have been recovered and whose certifications have been accepted by Bahrain’s health officials. Certificates from Greece, Hungary, Israel, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Seychelles, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the United Arab Emirates are now acceptable, as long as the last dosage was given at least 14 days before departure.

Kuwait

Except for minors under the age of six, all passengers must have an original negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate in English from any recognised laboratory. From the time and date of the swab test until the time of acceptance on the aircraft from the place of origin, the COVID-19 PCR test certificate must be valid for 72 hours.

The below categories of passengers may enter Kuwait:

  • Kuwaiti natives, first-degree relatives, and domestic employees will be permitted to enter Kuwait provided they are fully vaccinated with authorised vaccinations and produce a vaccine certificate certified by government authorities.
    • Passengers who are partially vaccinated and have a yellow Immune Application / KWI Mobile ID status can be admitted. A seven-day home quarantine will be imposed on this group of travellers.
    • Passengers who have not been vaccinated may be permitted for travel if they pay for and schedule two COVID-19 PCR tests, as well as a seven-day institutional quarantine.
    • Passengers who have not been vaccinated may be permitted for travel if they pay for and schedule two COVID-19 PCR tests, as well as a seven-day institutional quarantine.
  • GCC citizens who are completely immunised with the authorised vaccinations can be admitted as long as they present valid vaccine certificates.
  • Passengers vaccinated outside the state of Kuwait must present a vaccination certificate with the following information:
    • Name matching the name on the passenger’s passport
    • Type of vaccination received
    • Date the doses were taken
    • Name of the vaccination agency
    • QR code to confirm the authenticity

 

Saudia Airlines

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

Saudia operates to four continents, covering 86 destinations (27 domestic and 59 international) from its main hubs in Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. For anyone travelling to Saudi Arabia, here are the COVID-19 rules and requirements:

Saudi Arabia

  • All guests must be vaccinated with two doses of (COVID-19) vaccination before boarding an aeroplane.
  • All arriving guests, including members of diplomatic missions accredited in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their families (except Saudi citizens and children under the age of eight years old), must provide a negative PCR test certificate issued by a verified laboratory that is valid for 72 hours from the time the test is performed until departure from the kingdom, and guests who do not provide the certificate will be denied boarding.
  • All visitors to the Kingdom (excluding citizens, residents, and GCC citizens) must have medical insurance that covers the expenses of COVID-19 treatment in outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, and hospitals, as well as the 14-day institutional quarantine.
  • Vaccinated passengers:
    • show a proof of vaccination with the approved vaccines
    • register using this link to have their vaccination certificates approved and their immunisation status updated (for residents outside of Saudi Arabia and have received one of the vaccines approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health only)
    • Tawakkalna app should show (Completed The Doses of Corona Vaccine) status with the exception of who those under the age of 12.

 

Qatar Airways

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

Qatar airline has alliances with major airlines from various geographical areas, allowing passengers to travel to more than 150 destinations across the world, with Qatar serving as the principal source of passengers as well as the primary destination to the airline.

Qatar

  • Non-Qatari residents:
    1. register via the pre-registration website
    2. upload PCR test results (done 72 hours before arrival in Qatar), vaccination certificates, and other applicable documents, at least three days before their arrival.
    3. download the Ehteraz mobile application
    4.  must sign an Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form​ before arriving in Qatar
    5. arriving in Qatar should go to the COVID-19 test
  • Qatari citizens and residents:
    1. pre-registration is optional
    2. download the Ehteraz mobile application
    3.  must sign an Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form​ before arriving in Qatar
    4. a PCR negative test result at a medical center accredited by the health authorities done 72 hours before arrival in Qatar
    5. arriving in Qatar should go to the COVID-19 test
  • Fully vaccinated passengers with the approved vaccines:
    • Submit the original vaccine certificate

 

Etihad Airways

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

Etihad Airways being the second flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates with its head office is in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, operates more than 1,000 flights per week to over 120 passenger and cargo destinations. For anyone planning to travel to Abu Dhabi with Etihad, here are the rules.

Abu Dhabi

  • If Abu Dhabi is your final destination, you must take and present a PCR test 48 hours prior to departure. Depending on your destination, further testing may be required.
    • Your test result must contain a QR code if you are arriving from Egypt, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Sudan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo, India, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Vietnam or Zambia.
    • COVID-19 PCR testing is not required for children under the age of 12 or adults with severe or moderate impairments to travel.
  • You may also use the Al Hosn app to display or share a copy of your COVID-19 PCR test results.

Flydubai

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

Dubai is a famous travel destination of United Arab Emirates. There are various airlines which are operated from this city to different international destinations and Flydubai being one of the most well-known. Planning to travel to Dubai? Here are the COVID-19 rules & regulations:

Dubai

  • Provide a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (with a QR code) obtained by a recognised health service in their country of origin no more than 48 hours before the departure of their incoming aircraft to Dubai.
    • UAE nationals are not required to undergo a PCR test before returning to Dubai, regardless of where they came from or how long they were gone. On arriving in Dubai, UAE nationals will be tested.
  • On arriving in Dubai, travellers must take a PCR test.
  • Testing is not required for minors under the age of 12 or travellers with moderate to severe impairments.

 

Gulf Air

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, begins the summer season with 80% of its pre-pandemic destinations as it continues to resume operations and restore services. Here are the things to keep in mind while travelling with Gulf Air to Bahrain:

Bahrain

  • All passengers must download the official “BeAware Bahrain” App prior to departure
  • All passengers must complete the Ministry of Health’s “Health Declaration Form” prior to departure
  • Provide a negative PCR certificate regardless of their final destination. They may undergo additional testing on the 5th and 10th day of their stay and are subject to quarantine depending on their vaccination status.
  • Vaccinated passengers:
    • Passengers who have been vaccinated in Bahrain will require a “Green Shield” to be exempt from the statutory 10-day quarantine.
    • Above 6 years-
      • provide an approved vaccination certificate
      • not required to present a printed negative PCR certificate prior to departure
    • Below 6 years:
      • exempt from providing a pre-boarding PCR
  • No vaccinated passengers (without a vaccine certificate recognized by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain):
    • Present printed negative PCR certificate with a QR code taken no longer than 72 hours prior to departure
    • Must undergo a PCR test at their own expense upon arrival
    • Must take a second mandatory PCR test on the 5th day of stay and a third mandatory PCR test on the 10th day of their stay and will be released from quarantine when they have received a negative result.
    • The three tests are subject to a BHD 36 fee (approximately USD$ 96)
    • Passengers that are below 6 years are exempt from arrival tests.

 

Air Arabia

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

Air Arabia, based in Sharjah, is a well-known airline that offers low-cost flights to various parts of the continent as well as to other parts of the world with Sharjah International Airport in Sharjah being one of the primary key hubs of Air Arabia.

Sharjah

  • Passengers are required to download the ALHOSN application.
  • Vaccinated passengers (WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine):
    • Present the vaccination certificate issued by the health authorities including the certificate on the Al Hosn App.
  • All passengers must undergo the COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of the flight’s arrival time.
    • Passengers travelling from Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, Sudan, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India should have their test results printed with a QR code.
  • At the check-in counter, you will be asked to show a physical copy of the report.
  • Passengers must also do a fast PCR test at the airport six hours before departure, followed by another PCR test at the destination airport.
  • UAE Nationals and children below 12 years are exempt from the test.

 

Oman Air

You must wear a face mask the whole time you are on the plane: at the airport, during boarding, during the trip, and when you exit the plane. Children under the age of six and travellers with specific medical problems are exempt from wearing a mask.

Oman Air operates a network of 50 destinations in 27 countries out of its primary hub at Muscat, Oman. For anyone planning to travel to Oman by Oman Air, here are the rules.

Oman

  • Passengers must register at https://covid19.emushrif.om/ before departure.
    • This does not apply to persons travelling on official business with a diplomatic passport.
  • Passengers must have health insurance for at least one month to meet COVID-19 expenditures.
    • This does not apply to nationals of Oman.
  • Documents required:
    1. A negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 96 hours before arrival if arriving on a flight that takes 8 hours or more (including transit)
    2. A negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before arrival if arriving on a flight that takes less than 8 hours. The test must have a QR code
    3. To be uploaded at https://covid19.emushrif.om/
    4. Passengers are subject to a PCR test upon arrival which must be paid before departure via https://covid19.emushrif.om/
    5. This does not apply to passengers below 18 years.
    6. Vaccinated passengers:
      • Provide a COVID-19 vaccination certificate only by approved vaccines in Oman.
      • A pre departure negative PCR report with a QR code to be uploaded at https://covid19.emushrif.om/
      • Present the travel request form Travel Registration Form (TRF) upon arrival.
    7. Non-Vaccinated passengers:
      • Residents:
        1. Register through: https://covid19.emushrif.om/
        2. Upload a negative PCR test result with QR code pre-arrival through: https://covid19.emushrif.om/
        3. Book an institutional quarantine (unless exempted) through: https://covid19.emushrif.om/
        4. Present the travel request form Travel Registration Form (TRF) upon arrival.
        5. Undergo PCR test upon arrival.
        6. Institutional quarantine for 7 days.
        7. PCR test is required on the 8th day.
        8. If tested positive, residents must quarantine for additional 10 days.
      • Omani Nationals:
        1. Register through: https://covid19.emushrif.om/
        2. Upload a negative PCR test result with QR code pre-arrival through: https://covid19.emushrif.om/
        3. Undergo PCR test upon arrival.
        4. Home quarantine for 7 days.
        5. PCR test is required on the 8th day.
        6. If tested positive, residents must quarantine for additional 10 days.