Emirates issues new travel and flights update for Brits

The latest announcement from the airline, which is based in Dubai, comes after Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary warned UK travellers to book their summer holidays “as quickly as you can” to avoid rising costs, due the recent Middle East conflict.

In a statement on Friday (April 10) Emirates said: “Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule.

“You can check our latest flight schedules for upcoming flights and book seats to travel.

“We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly.

“We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience.

“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised.”

Emirates adds that before you travel: “Please continue to check your flight status, even after you have checked in.

“You can also review the latest operational updates on emirates.com.

“Make sure your details are up to date to receive notifications and check your email for changes or cancellations to your flights before travelling to the airport.”

The airline advises: “If your travel plans have been affected, we’ll do our best to rebook you on the next available Emirates flight.

“This applies to most disrupted tickets, including journeys connecting beyond Dubai.”

Customers booked to travel between February 28 until and including May 31 can either rebook on an alternate flight or request a refund.

Emirates continues: “To provide further peace of mind, customers who book flights from 2 April will also be offered one complimentary date change, across all cabins.

“Please note, changes must be within ticket validity, and fare difference fees may apply.”

Find out more information about what you can do when it comes to changing your Emirates flight via the airline’s travel updates page online.

Major airline with flights from UK increases fuel surcharges

The latest air travel update from Emirates comes as Air India announced it was increasing its fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights this week.

These revised fees came into effect for UK flights on Friday, although the airline assured passengers who have already booked tickets will be unaffected by the change.

Air India said: “For the avoidance of doubt, tickets that have already been issued prior to the above times will not attract the new surcharge unless customers seek date or itinerary changes that require a recalculation of the fare.

“Air India will review its surcharges periodically and make appropriate adjustments as the situation requires.”

Air India usually operates more than 60 weekly flights between India and the UK, connecting cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar to London (Heathrow and Gatwick) and Birmingham.

UK airline cancels flights due to ‘huge rise in global cost of fuel’

Prior to Air India’s announcement, UK airline Skybus ceased all flights between Newquay Airport and London Gatwick from April 3, partly due to the “huge rise in the global cost of fuel”.

In a statement published by multiple news outlets, including  ITV, Skybus managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “The huge rise in the global cost of fuel following the conflict in the Gulf, coupled with a significant drop in new passenger bookings since mid-February’s announcement of the planned closure of the PSO air route, forms an insurmountable barrier to the service continuing through April and May.

“At a time of great economic uncertainty and steps being taken to conserve energy worldwide, it is neither environmentally nor economically sound for us to continue flying with vastly reduced passenger numbers.”

The last flight operated on April 2 and all passengers who have had upcoming journeys cancelled will be refunded, according to the airline.

Have you faced any flight disruption over the last few weeks? Let us know in the comments below.