Photographer: Nicky Loh / Bloomberg
Photographer: Nicky Loh / Bloomberg
Singapore Airlines Limited has set up pre-departure coronavirus tests for passengers through their check-in platforms as part of efforts to revive a travel application destroyed by the pandemic.
People who fly from Singapore as well as those who travel to the city state from Jakarta and Medan in Indonesia can take tests at clinics and get results within 36 hours. If negative, they can be used for travel, according to a statement from Collinson Group, which works with Singapore Airlines on the program.
The trial service began Tuesday and is expected to run until mid-March. Collinson said it has conducted more than 90,000 Covid-19 tests for passengers in partnership with airlines and several UK airports, including London Heathrow.
“Our partnership with Singapore Airlines is helping to reopen major passenger routes and is another step forward with our long-term return to global travel,” said Ceann. Collinson Asia Pacific president Todd Handcock in the statement. “To restore travel confidence, the implementation of safe and robust verification protocols remains important.”
Like other carriers, Singapore Airlines has been hit hard by a pandemic, especially as the domestic market is not in a downturn while border restrictions hinder international travel. Passenger numbers fell by 82% in 2020. The airline began marketing for the first time ever tied a dollar last week to dig up its cash position.