Dubai is fully prepared to welcome millions of passengers over the next few months. In a major step to further enhance safe international travel, Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest international airport, now operates one of the world’s largest inhouse airport labs for processing of Covid-19 RT PCR tests.

The state-of-the-art lab which was inaugurated by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports.

“The drastic change in travel norms and the introduction of travel protocols including PCR testing have changed the airport experience of travellers around the world. As the world’s busiest international hub preparing for a surge in passenger traffic over the summer holidays and beyond, we were keen to make sure that the airport journey is safer, smoother and faster while fulfilling the required health protocols,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

Located neat Terminal 2, the 20,000 square-foot laboratory is a dedicated facility for round-the-clock processing of RT-PCR test samples collected from passengers at DXB. Using latest WHO-standard Covid-19 RT-PCR testing equipment, the lab can process up to 100,000 samples per day and provide reliable results within a few hours. The lab is equipped with negative and positive pressure rooms and is linked to government reporting platforms ensuring secure and easy sharing of information between health and regulatory authorities and airlines.

“The lab’s quick turnaround for processing test results will go a long way in helping us deliver a service experience the world expects from Dubai,” said Sheikh Ahmed. Anticipating a surge in visitor numbers, Dubai is on track to restore operations across all the terminals and concourses of its airports. Operations at DXB’s Terminal 1, which were suspended last year after measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global travel, have now resumed.

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The inhouse lab’s capacity will help minimise waiting times for passengers flying into Dubai while ensuring that relevant safety procedures are followed.