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UAE flights: Summer travel demand to rise amid relaxed PCR testing, Covid rules

Scrapping of Rapid PCR/PCR tests brought a sigh of relief for UAE-bound business travellers and tourists

Published: Sat 12 Mar 2022, 5:12 PM

Updated: Sun 13 Mar 2022, 7:31 AM

  • By
  • SM Ayaz Zakir

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The demand for travel to and from the UAE is set to rise in the coming weeks as Covid-19 safety protocols for inbound travel have eased, travel agents say.

Bharat Aidasani, managing partner, Pluto Travels said that demand has been increasing ever since the PCR testing requirement for inbound travellers was scrapped by UAE authorities.

“Travel to the UAE is nearly back to pre-pandemic level and now, people save about Dh250 travelling from India to UAE. Also, the reduced waiting time at airports in India have contributed to the high demand in inbound travel,” Aidasani said.

Starting February 26, the UAE’s National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) said UAE-bound vaccinated travellers are not required to undergo PCR tests ahead of travel.

Moreover, most destinations around the world have also been easing Covid-19 protocols and now vaccinated travellers do not need to present negative PCR test results at most airports around the world.

Taha Siddique, owner of Siddique Travel in India, said that he has been receiving many enquiries for travel to the UAE after the easing of restrictions. “Since the news broke out, I have been receiving more enquiries for travel. Many of my clients who travel to Dubai on short business trips have resumed travel,” said Siddique.

“Scrapping of Rapid PCR/PCR tests brought a sigh of relief for UAE-bound business travellers and tourists,” he added.

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Many travellers from India find Dubai an ideal tourist destination for short trips. “People have not travelled for long, and I feel that in coming months, many people are willing to travel to Dubai,” Taha said.

Aidasani also highlighted that many residents are planning trips to their hometown to meet their families or attend to other matters after two years of Covid. “The demand will soar for countries like India, Europe, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Philippines in summer as several residents will be going on vacation after a long time,” he added.

UAE residents are also travelling to the Balkans and central Asian countries for short trips. “It is safe to travel to central Asian countries and flights are nearly full,” he concluded.

ayaz@khaleejtimes.com



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