By Bev Fearis, published 12/08/20
Reports are emerging that British Airways is partnering with Boots the pharmacy to introduce pre-boarding Covid-19 testing on selected flights.
They say the tests will be available at a number of UK locations for both passengers and crew and are expected to be rolled out in the next three to four weeks.
It is believed the scheme would offer passengers the chance to pre-book tests at a location of their choosing.
Responding to the reports, a spokesman for BA said: “We are currently discussing the possibility of helping our customers access pre-flight testing through third parties if their destination requires this, however no plans have been finalised. We will share more in due course. We are doing everything we can to make travel as safe and stress-free as possible for our customers in these unprecedented times.”
But BA stressed that it is not making pre-flight testing mandatory for all customers, just those travelling to destinations where it’s required.
Boots is owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance, which also owns U.S. pharmacy giant Walgreens, so the tie-up would lend itself well to transatlantic flights.
The pharmacy is already developing pre-flight Covid testing services for the U.A.E, according to a notice on its website.
