Dubai’s Emirates Airlines has clarified the passenger flight suspensions it will roll out from 25 March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic’s spread. 

Emirates said it would continue some passenger and cargo flights “as long as borders remain open and there is demand”. 

The carrier said the decision came after it received “requests from governments and customers to support the repatriation of travellers”.

Passenger flights will continue to be operated to the UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, the US and Canada. 

READ: Emirates' suspensions not a panic move

“The situation remains dynamic,” Emirates added in an updated statement. 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, added: “By 25 March, although we will still operate cargo flights which remain busy, Emirates will have temporarily suspended most of its passenger operations. 

Having received requests from governments & customers to support repatriation of travellers, Emirates will continue to operate passenger and cargo flights to few countries until further notice, as long as borders remain open, and there is demand. https://t.co/x7Y9XUOaAW 2/5 pic.twitter.com/k0nM8TRDHL

— Emirates Airline (@emirates) March 22, 2020

“We continue to watch the situation closely, and as soon as things allow, we will reinstate our services.”

An earlier statement by Emirates on 22 March said all passenger flights would be suspended from 25 March.