In the space of two days this week, Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced bringing back flights to Moscow and Casablanca. The move comes as the popular UAE airline reintroduces flights to its network of worldwide destinations.

Emirates says that it has been gradually restoring flights to its network while working closely with international and local authorities. As the flights are resumed, Emirates is prioritizing the health and safety of its customers, crew, and the communities it serves.

Emirates flies to Moscow Domodedovo

Flights from Dubai to Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) resumed yesterday with two flights per week. The resumption of flights to the Russian capital takes the airlines expanding European network to 26 cities. The addition of Moscow flights means that Emirates now flies to 85 cities in September. The twice-weekly flights from Dubai to Moscow will operate on Fridays and Saturdays.

On Friday, flight number EK 133 will depart Dubai at 10:10 and arrive in Moscow at 14:25 local time. The return leg of the journey, flight number EK 134, will leave Moscow at 17:35 and arrive in Dubai at 23:35 local time.

S7 A320 Getty
Much of Russia's commercial fleet is made up of leased planes, and it has moved to protect these jets at all cost. Photo: Getty Images

On Saturday, Emirates flight number EK 131 will depart Dubai at 16:15 and arrive in Moscow at 20:30 local time. The return flight, number EK 132, will leave Moscow at 23:20 and arrive in Dubai at 05:30 local time the next day.

Both flights will operate using an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER and can be booked at a travel agent or by visiting the Emirates website. Once in Russia, Emirates customers are reminded that they can fly to regional destinations aboard Emirates codeshare partner, S7 airlines. Passengers on Moscow to Dubai flights are reminded that they can again stopover in Dubai after the city reopened for business and leisure visitors.

Casablanca, Morocco from September 18

Yesterday September 11, Emirates announced in a press release that it would resume passenger service to Casablanca in Morocco from Friday, September 18. The resumption of flights to Morocco's largest city will take Emirates African destinations to 14 as the airline gradually restores its network to meet its customers' needs.

B777-300ER Emirates
This is the second shake-up to the Emirates commercial team in the past two months. Photo: Getty Images

Flights from Dubai will operate three times per week on a Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Emirates flight number EK 751 will depart Dubai at 07:25 and arrive in Casablanca at 12:45. Flight number EK 752 will leave Casablanca at 14:45 and arrive in Dubai at 01:15 the next day.

Passengers flying to Morocco must meet all Moroccan entry requirements before being allowed to fly. Anyone arriving in Dubai, no matter from which country they are coming from, will be subjected to a COVID-19 test. This included UAE citizens, residents, tourists, and people using Dubai as a transit point.

All passengers arriving in Dubai must take a COVID-19 test

As airlines still try and cope with the fallout from the COVID-19 global pandemic, it's nice to see Emirates restoring its network. This resumption of flights is undoubtedly good for Russians wanting to travel to the Gulf or use Dubai as a stopover. While for Morocco, it gives the kingdom a gateway to Asia.

What do you think about Emirates' plan to restore its network? Are they moving too fast or doing the right thing? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.