British Airways has struck a deal with a COVID-19 testing kit provider as airlines prepare for the desperately-needed restart of summer travel, which is likely to include tests for passengers.
After months of lockdown, airlines hope Britain will give the go-ahead from mid-May for holidays to restart, boosting an industry whose finances have been slammed by the pandemic.
But it is not yet clear how mass foreign travel will resume. The government will provide more information on April 12.
Travel corridors, which allowed unrestricted movement between Britain and some low-risk countries, could be re-introduced, but there could also be requirements for a negative COVID-19 test before departing for abroad and arriving home.
British Airways said its new testing deal with Qured, would make it easier for travellers to take a test when abroad to fulfil any requirements for their return to Britain.
For £33, its passengers can buy a testing kit which is delivered to their home before they depart. They would take the kit abroad and carry out the test there, with guidance from an adviser on a video call. The result would be given in 20 minutes and the “fit to fly” certificate downloaded onto a customer’s phone.
British Airways prepares for travel restart with testing kit plan
