Expensive pre-flight Covid tests are expected to become a standard part of overseas travel until late 2022, even in countries with high levels of vaccination.
New Zealand recently introduced the requirement for “bubble” travellers from Australia, as an added layer of health certainty amid the pandemic.
A survey of 331 airline, airport and travel industry managers by the CAPA Centre for Aviation and Collinson Group found the majority believed pre-flight Covid tests were the key to reopening borders, as the vaccination rollout continued.
Collinson Asia Pacific president Todd Hancock said 51 per cent thought some form of robust testing would be needed as a “stop gap” until vaccination rates substantially lifted.
Another 32 per cent believed testing protocols would continue for the next three years, while just 13 per cent expected testing to be phased out in 2021.
“It’s likely that despite the fact the Asia Pacific was first into the pandemic, we’re probably going to be last out due to the low vaccination rates,” Mr Hancock said.
As a result, travellers themselves won’t feel comfortable unless there are strict health protocols in place when they fly – things like temperature checks at airports, testing measures and standardised digital health passports.”
The cost of pre-flight Covid tests could prove a major disincentive to travel however, adding about $150 a person to the price of a flight from Australia, or as much as $600 for a family of four.
Research by the International Air Travel Association found the cost of tests varied wildly from country to country, with Malaysia charging around $36 a test, and Japan $360.
“It’s definitely going to discourage people and put travel beyond the reach of many people if expensive PCR testing is required,” IATA chief executive Willie Walsh said.
“I’m hopeful we can see a change in that and I’m hopeful of seeing prices come down.”
Submitting to a pre-flight Covid test was generally viewed as preferable to quarantine however, particularly for business travellers.
Mr Hancock said their survey found even seven-days of quarantine was considered too long for business trips, with the sentiment strongest in Singapore.
“The survey showed 71 per cent of travellers in Singapore would be hesitant to travel while quarantine requirements were in place, compared to 57 per cent in Hong Kong and 49 per cent in China,” he said.
There was some concern among the travel industry respondents about fraudulent test results and fake vaccination certificates, highlighting the need for accredited testing solutions and digital health passports, Mr Hancock said.
“The global travel recovery won’t be immediate, but we do have the unique opportunity to make things better than ever before by working together to evolve current practices,” he said.
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