Emirates has become the first airline in the world to offer comprehensive insurance that includes medical cover for war-related injuries and is backed by hotels managed by the airline.

The national carrier has also pledged to rebook disrupted customers at no additional costs when itineraries include connecting on other airlines or Emirates services are unavailable.

This includes when flights have been cancelled due to conflict-related disruption.

What is included?

Emirates’ new comprehensive travel cover includes:

Trip cancellation cover.

Compensation for baggage delay or loss.

Unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide.

Conflict cover provides reimbursement for medical expenses of up to $25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days.

The cover is not restricted by government travel advice.

A pledge to provide airline-managed hotel accommodation during disruptions, including airspace closures.

The travel cover is available from June 17 and can be purchased on emirates.com at the time of booking or added to existing bookings via the manage booking feature.

Swift action

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: “Listening to customer feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover.

“Therefore, we acted to address our customers’ needs. Together with Travel Guard, a leader in the global insurance industry, Emirates is pleased to offer an enhanced travel insurance product that is as comprehensive as it is reassuring for a wider range of situations.

“With strong demand for travel in summer, we are proud to offer our customers added confidence in planning their journeys to and through Dubai when they book with Emirates.”

“Our long-standing collaboration with Emirates is grounded in a shared commitment to elevating the customer experience,” Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships, Travel Guard added.

“By combining our strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry and responds to the needs of today’s travellers.”

What is the current situation?

Emirates planes are currently three-quarters full on average, though some flights from London are “bursting at the seams”.

More than three months after the conflict started, several countries including the UK still have no-fly recommendations, which means travellers cannot get insurance for trips to or through the Gulf. 

But despite this, 40,000 people a day are passing through Dubai’s airport.

The number is down from approximately 100,000 before the conflict began but “growing at pace”.

“I think people can see what we’re doing, can see that it’s OK to transit Dubai and go on to all the other places,” Sir Tim added in an interview last week.

The Emirates boss also predicted the US-Israel-Iran war, which has seen jet fuel prices double, would lead to a “complete rethink” of the global oil distribution market.

He also said the carrier was still committed to its fleet of four-engine A380 aircraft even if fuel prices remained high.

The aircraft remained “an enormous cash generator and profit generator,” he added.

“The most important thing for the carrier is that it serves the needs of the emirate and two, that we can keep ourselves cash positive.”

Source of Article and all Credits to: Arabian Business