SkyTeam’s member airlines support reliable COVID-19 rapid testing to restore international air travel

AMSTERDAM, 30 September 2020 – With the industry at crisis point, SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, supports the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) call for standardized COVID-19 testing before departure. SkyTeam and its 19 members are advocating for the enhancement and implementation of testing protocols, both pre-departure and at destination where necessary, to enable the safe reopening of borders and offer an effective alternative to quarantines.

SkyTeam believes scalable and reliable rapid COVID-19 testing, deployed in cooperation with local airport authorities and governmental bodies, will provide the assurance required to reopen borders while offering customers greater peace of mind.

“Flying is the engine of the global economy. With international passenger numbers down 92 percent versus last year, there is an urgent need to promote business recovery by restoring customer confidence in air travel through a globally standardized testing solution,” said Walter Cho, Chairman of the SkyTeam Alliance Board.

SkyTeam’s CEO, Kristin Colvile said, “Passenger testing would benefit not only our members but all airlines and the wider travel industry, by providing much-needed clarity to restore consumer confidence. It adds to the rigorous cleanliness measures that SkyTeam members have already implemented under our SkyCare&Protect pledge to ensure flying is as safe as possible.”

Standardized, accurate, passenger testing would further enhance the extensive program of personal safety measures implemented by SkyTeam’s 19 members earlier this year to help protect customers and employees. SkyCare&Protect is a comprehensive series of 15 health and hygiene practices, including, but not limited to: more frequent sanitizing of aircraft, HEPA filters installed on aircraft, mandatory face coverings for passengers and employees, frequent access to hand sanitizer stations and wipes, distancing markers and more.

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