"COVID-19 Testing Costs Must Be Better Managed" - Walsh to Governments. By Daisy BARRO

 

Willie Walsh, DG, IATA

The Director General (DG) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh has called on governments to better manage the cost of COVID-19 testing so as to make travelling easier for individuals and families.

Walsh made this call after reviewing the results of an IATA sampling of costs for PCR tests - a test which was chosen for the sampling because it is what is required by most governments.

The findings reveal that out of the sixteen countries whose markets were sampled, only France complies with the World Health Organization's recommendation for the state to bear the cost of testing. Among the remaining fifteen countries, the average minimum and maximum costs for testing stand at $90 and $208 respectively.

It was equally established that following the above testing costs, the average cost for a return-trip could balloon from $400 to $760 - a state of affairs which could adversely impact the efforts being made to encourage people to fly again.

According to the IATA boss, "As travel restrictions are lifted in domestic markets, we are seeing strong demand. The same can be expected in international markets. But that could be perilously compromised by testing costs - particularly PCR testing. Raising the cost of any product this significantly will stifle demand. The impact will be greatest for short haul trips (up to 1,100km). With average fares of $105, the test will cost more than the flight. That's not what you want to propose to travelers as we emerge from this crisis. Testing costs must be better managed. That's critical if governments want to save tourism and transport jobs; and avoid limiting travel freedom to the wealthy."

Willie Walsh went on to say that it is every government's responsibility to ensure that everyone can afford COVID-19 tests, as this is key to the recovery of the industry.

Some of the countries that took part in the IATA sampling are Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, South Korea, Switzerland etc. The inbound requirements for these countries and many more shed light on the importance of reducing the cost of COVID-19 testing if governments want to fully resume air travel.