“Our new coronavirus testing program is another way we can help customers meet the entry requirements of their locations securely and conveniently,” United Airlines said in a statement
To boost passenger confidence, United Airlines is set to launch an on-site coronavirus testing program. This plan is initially only available to United customers travelling from San Francisco to Hawaii.
Coronavirus testing program
The pilot project will begin on October 15 and will include rapid tests developed by the Abbot Labs. Passengers can submit a COVID-19 diagnostic test within 15 minutes, right at the airport. Also, United Flyers have the option of self-administering a COVID exam, which must be mailed within 72 hours of arrival.
United has partnered with the Hawaiian state government to embrace tougher coronavirus protection measures, and have suffered a major drop in tourism this turbulent year.
Passengers who test negative within 72 hours of arriving in Hawaii will not be subject to the state’s 14-day mandatory isolation for new visitors.
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As a result of fear and constraint from COVID, the tourism which is of crucial importance to both airlines and in the Hawaiian Islands has been missed. According to the airline industry group Airlines for America, airlines have flown 70% fewer flights to Hawaii in the past year. Overall travel to the state has also dropped by 94%.
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As for United, it, like other airlines, struggled to regain passenger confidence. But if the quick test program for flights to Hawaii is successful, it hopes it can expand the program to other airlines.
“Our new coronavirus testing program is another way we can help customers meet the entry requirements of their locations securely and conveniently,” Toby Enqvist, United Airlines Chief Customer Officer, said in a statement. “We will be rapidly expanding customer testing to other locations and U.S. airports later this year.”
But testing is not the only step United can take to ensure health among infections. The airline claims to have used the aircraft’s compulsory interior mask policy, antimicrobial and electrostatic spraying, as well as sophisticated cleaning and safety measures, including “hospital-grade Heba air filtration systems”.
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