Emirates Halts Flights To Guinea Over Ebola Fears

Emirates airline passenger jets taxi on the tarmac at Dubai International airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Mideast's largest carrier, Dubai-based airline Emirates, said Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, it is halting flights until further notice to the West African nation of Guinea because of concerns about the spread of the Ebola virus there.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Emirates, the Mideast's largest airline, said Sunday that it halted flights to the West African nation of Guinea because of concerns about the spread of the Ebola virus there.

The Dubai-based carrier said flights to the Guinean capital of Conakry were suspended beginning Saturday until further notice. Guinea, along with neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone, is struggling to contain an outbreak of the disease that has sickened more than 1,300 people and killed more than 700 since March.

Emirates' rapid growth has turned its Dubai base into one of the world's busiest air hubs, funneling travelers around the globe. The airline will continue flying to the West African nation of Senegal, which borders Guinea, saying it "will be guided by the updates from international health authorities."

The International Air Transport Association last week said it is working with the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization to monitor potential fallout for air travel from the outbreak, and that the WHO is currently not recommending travel restrictions.