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Emirates has received a 7.3 billion dirhams ($2 billion) cash injection from the Dubai government, to help the UAE airline survive a difficult , Reuters has reported.

The has been badly hit by the coronavirus crisis, which has seen the closed off to visitors and only a small number of flights operating.

The Dubai-based airline has responded with a massive lay-off of employees, as international travel grinds almost to a halt.

Despite this, a bonds prospectus seen by Reuters claims that Emirates has also received $2 billion from the government.

The Dubai government has not publicly revealed the cash injection and the department of finance did not respond to Reuters request for comment.

— °®Âþµº (@The_NewArab) " style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Two UAE airlines ask staff to extend period of unpaid leave as the travel industry continues to suffer from the coronavirus crisis — °®Âþµº (@The_NewArab)

Yet more Emirates crew are expected to be , while thousands remain on unpaid leave.

The UAE, particularly tourist-reliant Dubai, have been badly hit by the coronavirus epidemic, with many businesses not expected to .

 again has  governing alcohol sales and possession of  to find new sources of revenue.

The outbreak of the virus exacerbated the already-gathering economic storm engulfing the emirate, which has seen mass layoffs thin the ranks of its foreign workforce and empty homes even amid slight signs of recovery.

Dubai's crucial real-estate market is on track to hit record lows not seen since the 2009 Great Recession.

Alcohol sales also serve as a major tax revenue source for Dubai's Al-Maktoum ruling family, according to AP.

Agencies contributed to this report