Virgin
Atlantic has started a trial of pre-flight Covid testing for its pilots and
cabin crew on routes to Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The
airline is partnering with GeneMe UK to offer tests that give results
via an app within 30 minutes. The company claims that the test has been shown
to be 100% specific (it correctly identifies those without the disease)
and 97% sensitive (correctly identifying those having the
disease) to detecting SARS-CoV-2 in independent laboratory tests.
Corneel
Koster, Virgin Atlantic’s chief customer and operating officer, said:
“This trial is a first step in our phased plan to
introduce regular testing for all of our teams in the air and on the
ground, in order to instil confidence in flying. However,
we continue to call for the swift introduction of
a wider coordinated passenger testing regime. We need
urgent action from UK and US governments to introduce pre-departure testing, to
remove the need for quarantine and to minimise travel
restrictions, while protecting public health and half a million UK jobs
associated with the sector.”
He
added: “As testing technology and Covid-19 requirements around the world
develop, we want to utilise technology that is relevant,
accurate and available to keep our teams and customers healthy and
safe. While the Covid-19 testing landscape evolves, we continue to be
in discussions with multiple providers offering different technologies
to guarantee the best solution possible,
while absolutely ensuring that we do not compete with the
NHS for vital resources."
The
airline plans to extend the trial to Barbados and other services later
in October, before a wider roll-out to test every operating crew
at least once per month.