Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) are to offer free medical travel insurance to international visitors.
The offer launches next month and runs until the end of the year, providing eligible passengers with up to 15 days of medical travel insurance cover.
The offer is available to international visitors flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad-operated services, provided both the point of origin and point of sale are outside the UAE.
It is included with qualifying Etihad-operated flight tickets, and travellers do not need to complete a separate application.
Passengers using Etihad’s complimentary stopover programme are also covered for the duration of their stay in Abu Dhabi.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the initiative is designed to make travel easier and more reassuring for visitors.
Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry said: “Our partnership with Etihad will set a new benchmark for destination standards and ensure our guests feel welcomed, valued and cared for from the moment they book.”
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said: “Giving comprehensive medical insurance with every eligible Etihad ticket means our guests can focus entirely on experiencing the extraordinary Emirati hospitality Abu Dhabi has to offer.”
The exact date of the start of the insurance offer has not been confirmed.
According to the website Head for Points, Emirates has responded by saying it is planning a similar policy, although it will not be free. The site said Emirates CEO Tim Clarke has said that it would have a repatriation guarantee, using other airlines if necessary, if flights were disrupted again.
Currently, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Abu Dhabi and the rest of the United Arab Emirates.
