In a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 strains, the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Dubai's Emirates said that the UAE airlines have suspended flights to and from Saudi Arabia starting yesterday until further notice.
"In line with the latest directive issued by the government of Saudi Arabia, passenger travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been suspended, effective from 23:00 Saudi local time today until further notice," Etihad said in a statement on its website.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia's interior ministry suspended flights to three countries including the UAE, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.
Saudi citizens and residents returning from these countries will be required to quarantine for 14 days, it added. Etihad said this is an evolving situation and is working with impacted passengers to notify them of the changes to their itineraries.
Emirates also stated that flights to and from Saudi Arabia will be suspended until further notice as instructed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of the Kingdom.
"Customers with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as their final destination, arriving on/after July 5, 2021, will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin," it said.