MANGALURU: A rapid RT-PCR testing lab at Mangalore International Airport (MIA) will open on Tuesday, a day when Air India Express (AIE) is scheduled to leave for the United Arab Emirates. Bookings for this flight are now open on the Air India Express website. Deputy commissioner KV Rajendra of Dakshina Kannada said a dry run at the rapid lab has begun. The cost of one test is approximately Rs 3,700. Thirty tests can be conducted at once.
As a result of this new facility, MIA will be able to assist numerous passengers bound for Dubai who, otherwise, had to use other airports in the country. In spite of the lifting of the UAE’s earlier ban on Indian flights, MIA was unable to schedule even one flight due to the lack of MRT-PCR facilities at the airport. Currently, the rapid RTPCR test is one of the main requirements to enter the UAE for Dubai residence permit holders.
Wilfred Olivera, a resident of Kuloor and who lives 6km from MIA, said he had to book tickets from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for travel to Dubai. “I would have saved money and time if the facility was available at MIA. I am happy that travellers like me will not be burdened now,” he said
.
According to a passenger who recently traveled to Dubai via Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), the RT-PCR test at KIA costs approximately Rs 3,200.A MIA spokesperson said the facility will be maintained by a private firm. The official date of when the facility will be available has not been announced yet. The spokesperson added, “We are not aware of Air India Express opening slots for ticket booking to Dubai.”
