Dhaka: The United Kingdom has banned direct passenger flights to and from the United Arab Emirates today, marking the shut down of the world’s busiest international aviation route from Dubai to London.

The UK’s move to add the UAE, Burundi and Rwanda to its coronavirus travel ban list follows concerns over the spread of a more contagious and potentially vaccine-resistant COVID-19 variant first identified in South Africa.

"This means people who have been in or transited through these countries will be denied entry, except British, Irish and third-country nationals with residence rights who must self-isolate for ten days at home," said UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps on January 28.

Emirates and Etihad Airways said on their websites they would suspend all UK passenger flights from 1300 GMT today when the ban takes effect.

Dubai airport, in a statement, advised passengers booked on flights due to arrive in the UK after the ban comes into effect to not go to the airport and instead contact their airline.

The UK transport department advised British nationals currently in the United Arab Emirates to make use of indirect commercial airline routes if they wished to return to Britain.

Due to border closures caused by COVID-19, Dubai to London was the world's busiest international route in January with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, according to reports.

Emirates and Etihad usually carry large numbers of passengers connecting from Britain to destinations like Australia through their airport hubs, meaning the decision to cancel those flights will have far-fetching implications.

The Australian government said it will add more charter flights from Britain if needed as a result of the Emirates and Etihad cancellations.

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