The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that arriving passengers at all its airports will have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 PCR testing.

In addition, transit passengers will also have to be tested under the new rules. These are applicable to all passengers, irrespective of their departing country.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

This measure will come to effect from 1 August without any changes to the other mandatory testing measures that need to be followed on arrival at the airports.

In a joint statement released by UAE’s National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), those passengers who transit through the airports to EU countries and the UK will have to get tested before boarding the aircraft.

This measure is in accordance with the country’s efforts to safeguard citizens and residents from the Covid-19 coronavirus.

However, children under 12 years of age and travellers with severe and moderate disabilities will not have to get tested.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The PCR test has a validity of 96 hours from the date of testing.

All airlines operating out of the airports in the UAE will have to adhere to the new requirements.

Earlier this month, Dubai Airports announced the resumption of scheduled operations by foreign carriers at Dubai International (DXB), one of the busiest airports in the UAE.

In February, UAE Federal Customs Authority (FCA) introduced a smart mobile passenger inspection unit that will enter service next month.

Airport Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airport Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
OPS1 by TADERA has won the 2025 Product Launch Award in the Safety and Efficiency category for transforming how airports manage operations and safety. Learn how this integrated, GIS driven platform simplifies inspections, maintenance, and SMS compliance while turning operational data into real time, actionable intelligence.

Discover the Impact