As the UAE government eased restrictions on travel movements and announced reopening of its airports, flydubai has launched repatriation flights to selected destinations including multiple cities of India and Pakistan with an immediate effect, said Khaleej Times.

The Dubai-based low-cost carrier on Friday said it will start special repatriation flights to multiple cities in 11 countries to facilitate their citizens and stranded passengers in the UAE.

The UAE residents and stranded citizens of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Bulgaria, Finland, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine can book their seats on special repatriation flights on flydubai website from today.

“In light of flight restrictions put in place by countries across the flydubai network, we are working around-the-clock to help you travel back home safely,” flydubai said.

“Citizens of these countries, as well as family members of citizens of these countries, may be entitled to book a repatriation flight. Please check with the relevant embassy prior to making a booking,” the airline said on its website.

Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London’s StrategicAero Research, said these flights are geared towards repatriation efforts as opposed to any normalisation of scheduled flights.

“At this point in time, this a good way for flydubai to not only introduce safety measures that will eventually be rolled out in the near future, it also allows the airline to examine the degree of demand that’s out there, as people still do invariably need to travel, despite the ongoing pandemic,” Ahmad told Khaleej Times on Friday.

Flydubai said all flights are only for repatriation of stranded passengers and will carry citizens of the above-mentioned countries who currently reside in or are visiting the UAE.

“All flights offer one-way Economy Class fares originating in Dubai,” it said.

Flydubai has already operated some special flights to Pakistan and repatriated stranded Pakistani citizens to major cities of the country.

The offered fare on flydubai’s special flights is inclusive of 20 kg checked baggage allowance. “Cabin baggage will be limited to laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items,” the airline said.

Flydubi also imposed some condition for ticket on special repatriation service and said all flights will operate from Terminal 2 at Dubai International.

“All flights are subject to government approvals and will operate only if approvals have been obtained,” it said.

The airline also notified that no meals will be served during the flight, but a snack box will be provided to the passengers. No penalty will apply in case of flight modification or cancellation, it said.

“Any applicable refunds will be processed in the form of a flydubai voucher.

If you do not travel on the flight you have booked, please note that the ticket is non-refundable and non-changeable,” the airline said.