From the BBC:
“Coronavirus: Airlines call for
joint US-European testing scheme”
Major airlines have asked for a
joint coronavirus testing programme, so that travel may resume between the US
and Europe. The owner of British Airways and United Airlines are among the
carriers that have signed a letter to US and European Union leaders. Currently
travel between Europe and the US is largely barred. Carriers are struggling to
survive as the coronavirus pandemic has severely disrupted global travel. In a
letter sent on Tuesday to US and European governments, major airline chief
executives called for a US-EU testing programme for passengers making trans-Atlantic
trips. Signees of the letter include bosses of International Airlines Group
(IAG) - which owns British Airways - American Airlines, United Airlines and
Lufthansa. “Given the unquestioned importance of trans-Atlantic air travel to
the global economy as well as to the economic recovery of our businesses, we
believe it is critical to find a way to re-open air services between the US and
Europe,” the letter said. It was sent to US Vice President Mike Pence and Ylva
Johansson, the European commissioner for home affairs. “We recognize that
testing presents a number of challenges, however we believe that a pilot
testing programme for the transatlantic market could be an excellent
opportunity for government and industry to work together,” the letter added. The
EU doesn’t currently allow visits from US residents, although it has relaxed
rules for non-essential travel from 15 countries with lower coronavirus
infection rates. The UK requires people arriving from the US to spend 14 days
in self-imposed quarantine, while the US restricts travel by most passengers
coming for Europe. Pilar Wolfsteller, Americas Air Transport Editor at
FlightGlobal told the BBC that such measures are a crucial step towards
restarting flights between America and Europe: "Until the US and EU open
their borders to foreign visitors again, it will be very difficult to impossible
for airlines to climb out of the crisis." "For the major US carriers
like United, American and Delta, European visitors are vital to their success
and any progress towards re-opening transatlantic travel would be a great step
forward towards normalcy for the airlines," she added.
^ I don’t see this as happening
anytime soon. The US can’t even test its own citizens (who have to wait hours
in long lines and then up to 2 weeks for the results.) ^
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53495768
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