Coronavirus: Talks under way to continue flights between India and UAE – The National

Coronavirus: Talks under way to continue flights between India and UAE – The National

About 210,000 Indians have been repatriated from the UAE, and residents are hoping more flights will operate from India to the Emirates





























Sharjah resident Aqueel Sharif hopes to return to the UAE with his wife Mohammed Rafia, son Dawud and daughter Arshiya. The family flew to Andhra Pradesh in southern India for a medical emergency in March before borders shut down. Courtesy: Aqueel Sharif











Talks to extend a temporary travel corridor between the UAE and India are under way to help bring thousands of residents back to the Emirates, a diplomat said.



The UAE and India grounded flights in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Regular passenger flights have yet to resume in India, but the two countries agreed to operate select flights between July 12 and 26 to bring residents back to the UAE.



Several thousand have travelled to the Emirates from India on UAE and Indian carriers during the 15-day window that is due to end on Sunday.



Pavan Kapoor, India's ambassador to the UAE, said he was hopeful the flights will continue.



"The key thing we