Emirates airline said Thursday it is to resume a limited number of outbound passenger flights from April 6, to London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels and Zurich, with four flights per week for London and three for the other cities.

Cleaning and disinfection of the planes will take place after each flight and they will not carry passengers on return journeys to Dubai, the airline said.

“Over the time, Emirates looks forward to the gradual resumption of passenger services in line with lifting of travel and operational restrictions, including assurance of health measures to safeguard our people and customers,” said Emirates chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

The UAE’s aviation regulator has clarified that the flights being operated by Emirates airline and Etihad Airways in the coming days are solely for repatriation purposes.

Meanwhile, The UAE has extended the suspension of foreign nationals holding valid residence visas from Thursday April 3rd and for a renewable period of two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, according to Emirates news agency WAM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has requested residents with valid visas, and who are staying abroad, to register in the “Tawajudi for Residents” service to facilitate emergency returns.