ABTA and the Airport Operators Association have published new research showing that UK customers are having to pay over twice the cost for pre-departure PCR tests as their European counterparts.
The organisations said that a UK pre-departure PCR test costs on average £128 per person, compared to an average of under £62 for the eight “key destinations” of Belgium (€91), France (free), Germany (€92), Greece (€60), Italy (€63), the Netherlands (€116), Portugal (€75) and Spain (€83).
The findings follow the publishing of the Global Travel Taskforce’s framework for return to international travel, which confirmed that travellers will be required to take pre-departure and post-arrival PCR tests even when visiting a ‘Green’ destination under the new traffic light system.
Global Travel Taskforce publishes framework for return to international travel
The government said it would work with the travel industry and private testing providers ahead of international travel reopening, “to see how we can further reduce the cost of travel for the British public, while ensuring travel is as safe as possible”.
It added that this “could include cheaper tests being used when holidaymakers return home, as well as whether the government would be able to provide pre-departure tests”.
In an interview on The Today programme, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that he was “concerned” about the cost of tests, adding that “there needs to be more entrants in the market”.
Shapps also said that the government was looking at whether cheaper lateral flow tests could be used before travelling.
A recent study commissioned by IATA found that high performing rapid antigen tests are as effective as PCR tests in identifying Covid-19, and could be used to “safely reopen” international travel.
Commenting on the research Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA said that “Travel to the lower risk, green categorised countries should be as unrestricted as possible”.
“The requirement for a PCR test when you arrive back from a green list country could prove a cost-barrier for many people – we welcome the fact that the Government commits to engaging with industry on this issue,” said Tanzer.
“Small changes, like requiring a PCR test only if the individual gets a positive result from a lateral flow test, would make international travel more accessible and affordable whilst still providing an effective mitigation against re-importation of the virus.
“The Government should also consider whether those who have been vaccinated can be exempt from testing requirements, should scientific evidence suggest reduced transmissibility.”
