India-UAE flights: Some airlines exempt passengers from rapid PCR test

India-UAE flights: Some airlines exempt passengers from rapid PCR test

India-UAE flights: Some airlines flying from Kolkata exempt passengers from rapid PCR test

'It could be a pilot phase for further relaxations,' said one airline executive

Published: Sat 19 Feb 2022, 8:29 PM Last updated: Sun 20 Feb 2022, 6:29 AM

Passengers travelling on Emirates, flyDubai, Air India and IndiGo via direct flight from Kolkata to Dubai have been exempted from the rapid PCR test requirement at the airport.

Emirates on its website for travel from India noted ‘all cities except Kolkata’ need to have a valid negative PCR test result within 48 hours and another rapid test within six hours of departure.

While the airlines didn’t specify any particular reason for easing the rapid test norm for passengers travelling from Kolkata to Dubai, an executive at an airline said that this could be “a pilot test” for further relaxations.

“The withdrawal of the rapid PCR test within six hours before departure from Kolkata has been introduced in the past few days. It could be a pilot phase for further relaxations,” an executive said.

Echoing similar sentiments, an Abu Dhabi-based travel agent said there is an expectation about easing PCR requirements between countries.

“Following the historic economic agreement on Friday, easing travel requirements is expected. I have received