After gliding into turbulence caused by the pandemic and global travel restrictions that followed, the aviation sector is slowly taking off once again with hopes of a recovery on the horizon. But the future remains uncertain with dark of clouds of covid still plaguing parts of the world, leading to constantly changing rules and flight cancellations that follow.

Although frequent flight delays and travel bans are beyond the control of carriers, passengers have to face inconvenience during trips or in the process of securing refunds. At a time when pandemic pressure still impacts life and outdoor movements, an Emirati app is making life easier for travelers by letting them book tickets without paying the fare upfront.

The platform Colibra has introduced a feature where flyers can book seats a month in advance, and have to pay up only after the flight lands. The trip will be free in case the flight is delayed beyond three hours, and there simply won't be any transaction in the event of a cancellation.

This digital offering accompanies online apps being launched by firms and governments to make people feel secure during the pandemic. Dubai-based airline Emirates has even joined hands with the local health authorities to facilitate automated verification of covid-related medical records, so that people can fly around conveniently.

Airports in the country have been equipped with AI and robots to create a safe environment, while Dubai has fast-tracked check-ins to make sure people can clear immigration and be on a flight within seconds. The smart process combines iris scans with facial recognition to create an ecosystem where passengers can just walk into a lounge and proceed to the flight without touching anything or even taking out their passport.

Moving beyond air travel, commuters within the Emirates also have access to online platforms that allow users to rent cars for a long period of time, while they only have to pay for the distance travelled.