El Al Airlines aims to offer an increased level of COVID-19 warning by requiring passengers to add negative PCR tests either by proving they are immune to the disease or by getting a quick test on antigen before boarding.
The measures, which were carried out in a flight Monday, were linked to a worldwide COVID vaccination campaign and post-pandemic planning, which has attracted foreign interest.
Like other countries, Israel requires negative PCR tests of incoming and outgoing passengers.
But El Al said its 003 afternoon flight to New York would be unique in carrying only those who have passed vaccine certifications, proven pass on COVID-19, or passed antigen testing at Port -air Ben Gurion. No one who failed a test would be allowed to fly, he said.
“Today’s flight is, I think, the first in the world where you will know that you have proven that everyone on board is definitely clean and or -coronavirus infectious, “Leehu Hacohen, El Al’s vice president for operations, told Israeli Army Radio.
Widely used, the method could reduce social distance which restricts turning at airports and reduces passenger comfort, while allowing business as usual for off-duty shops and restaurants .
“It will be possible to open all of these and go back to or estimate flight experience, final trade,” Hacohen said.
The antigen tests, developed by Sheba Medical Center, take 15 minutes to deliver results and are believed to be reliable for detecting active coronavirus infection, El Al said, adding that the quick test packs are given to passengers for free, for now.