Free Covid-19 Testing to be offered by American Airlines and British Airways to Boost Travel

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Starting from 25^th November onwards, American Airlines and British Airways will also provide passengers with Covid-19 testing. This announcement was made on Tuesday by the American Airlines, British Airways, and Oneworld -their alliance partner. The testing facility will be available for some passengers. This initiative has been undertaken to ensure the safety of passengers as well as to boost the international travel market that is currently reeling under the adverse effects of the pandemic. The cost of the initiative will be covered by Oneworld.

How will the Tests Operate?

Travellers on certain London-bound flights from New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles will be able to volunteer to take three Covid-19 tests as part of their initial trial programme. These three tests would include one at-home test that will be administered before the travel commences, one at the London Heathrow Airport and the last one will be shipped to the traveller to be administered after arrival.

Rob Gurney, CEO of Oneworld highlighted the salience of the initiative saying that the initiative was devised, “as an alternative for customers having to go into a quarantine environment.” He also added that initially the airlines are offering 3 separate kits, however, they would like to suffice will a single negative test in the future. Other key players in the travel industry propound that even though free testing provided by airlines may help boost travel across the world, there will still be restrictions on the movement of travellers once they arrive at their destination. This may deter most from undertaking travel. However, the airlines industry is regaining confidence with this new initiative.

Other Airlines offering Free Testing

Several airlines across the world are urging authorities to opt for testing kits and sufficient negative test results from travellers instead of reinforcing staunch travel restrictions. These travel bans have cost the travel and airline companies billions of dollars in revenue loss this year. Many airlines are now rolling out testing measures as a way to enhance the travel sector. United Airlines announced a similar programme on Monday, offering free pre-flight Covid-19 testing for passengers. The first trial run was conducted on a Newark- London Heathrow flight.