Dubai-, United Arab Emirates (UAE), based global major airline Emirates has announced that it has restored operations on 96% of its global network, following the disruptions caused by the conflict in the Persian Gulf. Even during the height of hostilities (from March 1 to April 30), the carrier was able to carry 4.7-million passengers.

The actual number of flights operated by the airline is now back at 75% of the pre-war level. In numbers, Emirates is now operating more than 1 300 flights a week to 137 destinations, spread across 72 countries on all the inhabited continents.

South Africa is one of the countries to which the bulk of Emirates services has been restored. The three daily flights to Johannesburg and the four weekly flights to Durban are operating again. Only the Cape Town route is still being operated at a lower-than-normal frequency, with three weekly flights, instead of the normal ten weekly flights.

“Emirates is giving customers more reasons to travel with confidence with flexible rebooking, Dubai Connect stopover experiences and enhanced Skywards benefits,” assured the airline.

Flexible rebooking applies to passengers who booked from April 2, and covers all cabin classes; it allows passengers to make one date change, free of charge. Dubai Connect will give eligible passengers, facing a layover in Dubai lasting from six to 26 hours, complimentary four- to five-star hotel accommodation, including, if necessary, a UAE entry visa. This also applies to all cabin classes. Regarding Emirates’ Skywards loyalty programme, from May 8 to August 31 this year, members will benefit from more rapid access to its premium tiers. This will be delivered via reduced tier requirements and bonus tier miles, that can be accrued on both Emirates and flydubai flights.

The airline also highlighs that 28 of its aircraft are now fitted with Starlink connectivity. That means that passengers on these aircraft have access to reliable and ultrafast internet connectivity throughout their flights.