Airline promises to cover up to $174,000 in hospital treatment for passengers
UAE-based Emirates announced on Thursday that it will now cover the coronavirus treatment and quarantine costs of all passengers flying with the airline.
A potential game-changer in the air travel industry, the offer includes payment of up to 150,000 euros ($174,000) and a quarantine allowance of 100 euros per day for 14 days.
It can be availed of by passengers who will be diagnosed with coronavirus during their travel, while they are away from home, and is effective immediately for customers flying until October 31, 2021, with the first flight to be completed on or before October 31 this year.
“This cover is provided by the airline, free of cost to its customers,” the airline said in a statement.
This is the first time an airline has offered free global cover for healthcare treatment and quarantine-related expenses of passengers. Travellers are normally required to secure their own travel insurance to pay for any medical-related expenses that will be incurred while they’re abroad.
Emirates has been among the major companies in the air travel industry that have been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The airline has recently carried out a series of job cuts to stay afloat, with experts saying that carriers in the Middle East region alone could lose $4.9 billion in revenues this year as passenger numbers have plummeted.
In a statement, the carrier said it seeks to restore consumer confidence by providing customers peace of mind through its free medical and quarantine cover.
“Emirates is proud to lead the way in boosting confidence for international travel. We know people are yearning to fly as borders around the world gradually reopen, but they are seeking flexibility and assurances should something unforeseen happen during their travel,” said Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group chairman and chief executive.
He assured that the airline has put in place a series of measures “at every step of the customer journey” to ensure public safety.
“We have also revamped our booking policies to offer flexibility. We are now taking it to the next level, by being the first in the industry to offer our customers free global cover for COVID-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs should they incur these costs during their travel,” he added.
The medical cover and quarantine costs will also be available to all types of passengers, regardless of the ticket class they book or the destination they travel to.
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