MUMBAI: Two instances of certified Covid positive patients flying aboard Air India Express flights to Dubai in the span of a week, led the Dubai aviation authorities to suspend flights of the low fare carrier on Friday.
The suspension was for a fortnight. However it was withdrawn on Friday evening after the carrier blamed groundhandlers for the oversight, according to a senior executive at AI Express.
“It was a mistake, but not the airline’s mistake. We explained that to the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.
The two passengers flew on August 28 and September 4 to Dubai from Delhi and Jaipur. Both were carrying Covid positive test results were still allowed to board.
Air India Express, the national carrier’s regional international subsidiary had to divert 5 flights scheduled for Dubai to Sharjah on Friday. Flights will resume as per schedule from Saturday claimed the executive.
There was no official announcement from the airline or DCAA.
A spokesperson at the ground handling agency AI SATS, declined to comment.
The suspension was for a fortnight. However it was withdrawn on Friday evening after the carrier blamed groundhandlers for the oversight, according to a senior executive at AI Express.
“It was a mistake, but not the airline’s mistake. We explained that to the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.
The two passengers flew on August 28 and September 4 to Dubai from Delhi and Jaipur. Both were carrying Covid positive test results were still allowed to board.
Air India Express, the national carrier’s regional international subsidiary had to divert 5 flights scheduled for Dubai to Sharjah on Friday. Flights will resume as per schedule from Saturday claimed the executive.
There was no official announcement from the airline or DCAA.
A spokesperson at the ground handling agency AI SATS, declined to comment.