Transatlantic test at Heathrow

Heathrow is working with its transatlantic carrier partners as they trial different testing regimes to help safely re-build international routes.

The independent trials will inform an industry-funded study – representing the biggest pre-departure study in the UK – and could pave the way for a universal pre-departure passenger testing model.  The Collinson and Swissport’s testing facilities in Terminals 2 and 5 will facilitate the tests.

The plan is for the results of pre-departure testing trials carried out by four of Heathrow’s transatlantic carriers – American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic – to be brought together by a study commissioned by the airport to demonstrate the effectiveness of pre-departure testing.

The group study follows on from the Government’s ‘Test to Release’ initiative, which from 15 December, will give passengers the option to reduce their quarantine period from 14 days to five, providing they test negative for the virus.  Whilst the industry has supported the Government’s position both home and abroad the view is that passengers should be clean from Covid-19 before boarding, and not verified as a precaution afterwards.

Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, summed up the position: “Industry-led trials, like our own London Heathrow – Barbados testing pilot, build on existing evidence that an effective pre-departure testing regime can safely replace quarantine. Through close collaboration, trial results will add to the body of real-world evidence being aggregated by Heathrow in this landmark study.

“We call on UK Government to move swiftly towards this model, in order to open up the skies, replace quarantine and boost consumer confidence. It will allow free movement of people and goods to resume, supporting the UK’s economic recovery and protecting more than 500,000 jobs reliant on aviation. We hope that testing will also lead the way for US borders to open to UK travellers.”

www.heathrow.com

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Barry Graham, Washington, DC

Given that vaccines are on the verge of being rolled out, I'm wondering why so much effort is being put into testing. If air travel is as safe as we are told (and, based on my experience I believe it is), and masks do their job, then it ought to be sufficient for people to wear masks and stay six feet apart, i.e. live as they normally do, and only be tested if they develop symptoms.