We recently outlined some of the changes you can expect when you go to a UK airport to catch an outward flight. Now, we’re turning our attention to what you can expect when you land at, or depart from, the main airports in some of the most popular destinations for Netflights customers.
In all cases, airports are working closely with their airline partners and the relevant federal health authorities to make arrivals, departures and transit as smooth as possible. But the situation is dynamic and protocols are changing frequently – we’d encourage you to use the links below for the latest information, and to also contact your airline to find out what specific policies they also have.
We’ll continue to update these details and add new airports as they publish their policies, so do keep checking back.
Whatever airport you’re using, the following measures are generally consistent:
- Facemasks or coverings aren’t mandatory in every airport but, for peace of mind, it is encouraged all travellers use them on transport to/from the airport and in the terminal buildings themselves.
- All airports and airlines ask people not to travel, or attempt to travel, if they are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms.
- Signage, digital guidance and floor stickers have been installed at every airport to help ensure social distancing is maintained, and there are hand sanitisers in every building.
- Each airport has introduced enhanced cleaning, especially of hard surfaces in high-touch areas – like escalator handles.
- Travellers are encouraged by all airports to use online check-in and self service counters/facilities as much as possible to avoid unnecessary contact.
Airport
(Click on the name to be taken to the airport website and further information)
Arrival & check-in
Security
Departures, lounges and boarding
Deplaning, immigration and luggage collection
Other information
UAE authorities have suspended the issuance of entry visas and all commercial passenger flights to and from the UAE remain suspended. However, the airport continues to serve repatriation and humanitarian flights for Emiratis returning to the UAE as well as expatriates and foreign nationals departing for their countries of origin.
Airport only open to travelling passengers. All passengers, including children, are required to wear facemasks and gloves at all times in the terminal buildings. Thermal imaging technology has been installed at the terminal entrance and other locations.
Departing passengers will be health tested to ensure they are fit to fly – please allow additional time.
VIP lounges are open but are subject to capacity limitations, regular deep cleaning and social distancing measures. Shops and restaurants are also open (except to travellers under 12 or over 60 years of age) but cannot exceed 30% capacity, and will only take contactless payment. All food is served using disposable crockery and cutlery.
Every arriving passenger must submit to a PCR test and quarantine for 14 days.
Hand sanitisers installed throughout the airport, plus vending machines for extra supplies of masks, gloves and gel. Self-sanitising technology has been installed on all escalators to keep handrails free, and touch-free technology in elevators to reduce contact.
Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
The borders to Mexico remain closed to al non-essential travel until the 21st July.
Social distancing measures in place, face masks are mandatory within the terminal buildings for all staff and travellers, and on public transport serving the airport. Check in staff are seated behind perspex screens. Temperature checking technology installed and all travellers have to complete medical questionnaire prior to check-in to confirm they are fit to fly.
Security staff will be wearing PPE and social distancing measures imposed.
Social distancing measures in place throughout departures, all areas deep cleaned regularly. Some shops and restaurants open, check with your airline about lounges
Temperature sensors installing throughout immigration, and immigration staff will be wearing PPE.
N/A
Domestic flights resumed on 25th May 2020. However, international scheduled flights operations remain suspended.
Social distance signage has been put up in aerobridges, piers, lifts, travelators, etc. There are also hand sanitisers at the exit of passenger bridges/bus gate arrival areas. Only ticket-holders are currently allowed in to the terminal. Face covering and gloves encouraged. Each airline now has its own designated check in desk area, to ensure load is spread out evenly within the terminal. All travellers will be asked to complete a self-declaration form prior to arrival (your airline will direct you to the app).
Staff will be wearing full PPE and social distancing measures imposed.
Food and beverage outlets are open, but travellers are encouraged to download the HOI app, which permits contactless food ordering and payment, and also the ‘Food Genie’ food delivery app. In Departures, chairs are marked for non-usage to ensure social distancing and queue managers deployed for boarding and bussing gates.
Information not currently available.
Additional cleaning has been implemented in the baggage handling area. Temperature screening now takes place at the terminal entrance.
From July 7th, tourists and visitors are allowed to enter Dubai but must submit to a PCR test on arrival and quarantine for 14-days if positive for COVID-19. Test results are usually available within 2-48 hours.
Only valid ticket holders are permitted to enter the terminal. Face coverings are mandatory in all airport areas. Measures to ensure traveller safety include protective plexiglass at check-in and immigration counters, and thermal and temperature screening. All travellers must have completed the Health Declaration Form before departure to confirm they have no COVID-19 symptoms.
Staff will be wearing full PPE and social distancing measures imposed.
Selected restaurants and shops are open, all airline lounges remain closed.
All arriving travellers must also sign a declaration confirming they will bear the cost of any treatment if they fall ill with COVID-19 while in Duabi. They must show the results of a negative PCR test taken with the previous 96 hours and download the DXB COVID-19 app and register their whereabouts while in Dubai.
All flights currently depart from terminals 2 or 3.
Travellers from the UK are currently not permitted to enter the USA (along with those from, or who have travelled through in the previous 14 days, the Schengen Area of Europe, Iran or China). Even travellers from some other States must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in New York. Those who are exempt from that rule (diplomates, US citizens, permanent residents of the US and close family members) can only travel to one of 15 airports).
Only those with a valid ticket for travel will be permitted to enter terminal buildings. Face coverings are mantadory in all terminal and airport buildings, and all public transport serving the airport. Check-in screens now have perspex screens.
Staff will be wearing full PPE and social distancing measures imposed.
Airport lounges are closed. Food and beverage concessions are open, but only accepting contactless payment. Limited retail.
Information not currently available.
Enhanced cleaning protocols have been introduced across all high touch, hard surfaces. No temperature screening by the airport itself, although this may be conducted by individual airlines.
The Maldives will be reopening its borders for tourists from 15th July. Currently, anyone from the UK, or who has transited the UK in the last 14 days, is not permitted to enter – this excludes Maldivian nationals and foreign nationals with Maldivian spouses who will be admitted but placed in quarantine for 14 days.
Face coverings are mantatory in all terminal buildings. Staff will also wear full PPE and face shields. Check-in desks have perspex screens installed. Passenger capacity in all areas has been reduced by at least 50% to prevent crowding.
Information not currently available.
Information not currently available.
All arriving travellers are temperature checked. If they show symptoms of COVID-19, they will be required to take a PCR test and self-isolate until the results are clear.
All passenger touchpoints are regularly sanitised, including buses to and from aircraft.
Travellers from the UK are currently not permitted to enter the USA (along with those from, or who have travelled through in the previous 14 days, the Schengen Area of Europe, Iran or China). Even travellers from some other States must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in New York. Those who are exempt from that rule (diplomates, US citizens, permanent residents of the US and close family members) can only travel to one of 15 airports.
Check-in staff will be wearing face coverings, and be seated behind perspex screens – and only alternate check in desks are open (to aid distancing). Travellers are asked to wear a face covering in the terminal building and public transport services, and may be required to wear them by their airline.
Security staff will be wearing face coverings and be behind perspex screens.
Restaurants and shops are opened, but staff will be behind perspex screens.
Information not currently available.
All traveller waiting areas, including restaurants and seating, are deep cleaned daily.
All overseas travellers arriving into Australia are now required to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel), in their port of arrival, including Sydney. Travellers will be transported directly to designated facilities after appropriate immigration, customs and enhanced health checks.
It is not a requirement to wear a mask to enter the airport, but travellers are encouraged to do so. Travellers are also encouraged to contact their airline prior to flying regarding safety measures, including if there is a requirement by the airline to wear a mask while on board their aircraft.
As normal.
Limited restaurants and shops open. Airline lounges are open on a limited capacity and service basis – check with your airline.
Information not currently available.
Hourly cleaning of high-touch areas and using hospital-grade cleaning products. Friends and family are now able to accompany departing passengers into the T1 International terminal, and those travelling domestically can do the same from Terminals 2 and 3.
There is a ban on most foreign arrivals to Canada, excluding Canadian citizens, their immediate families, temporary foreign workers or international students until 31st July. All arrivals must quarantine for 14 days. All travellers arriving in Canada must complete a health screening form prior to departure.
Face coverings are mandatory in all terminal buildings. Only those with a valid ticket to travel are permitted to enter the terminal buildings. Staff will wear full PPE and face shields, and heck-in desks have perspex screens installed. Check-in queuing zones have been extended, while selected self-service kiosks have been turned off to ensure physical distancing. Kiosks and self-service bag drops have also been updated with touch-free technology.
Face masks and gloves are mandatory for screening officers.
Limited restaurants and shops open. Airline lounges are open on a limited capacity and service basis – check with your airline.
International travellers must complete an isolation document before speaking to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer, and anyone entering the country, regardless of citizenship, is required to provide contact information. They can also share the information via the secure ArriveCAN app. Perspex screens have been installed in the CBSA area to help limit person-to-person contact. The baggage hall is continually monitored to prevent overcrowding, and if necessary you will be held back from entrance until space allows.
High contact hard surfaces are cleaned every two hours with hospital-grade disinfectants. Newly installed indoor air quality monitoring stations are in place in both Terminals 1 and 3, providing accurate, up-to-date information on each terminal’s air quality and air flow. Six autonomous floor cleaners are in operation throughout the terminal to clean and disinfect floor surfaces on a continual basis. The airport is also trialling a ‘passenger disinfection corridor’, which mists passengers with a fresh-smelling, non-toxic salt water solution (sodium chloride) that will disinfect clothing, luggage and more.