News

Lateral flow Day 2 test date boost for half-term holidays

Welcoming the Government’s announcement that lateral flow tests will replace PCR tests for Day 2 tests from 24 October, Airport Operators Association Chief Executive Karen Dee said:

“This is good news for families travelling abroad during the upcoming half-term holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It should reduce the complexity of post-travel testing and we urge testing companies to pass on the savings of using cheaper lateral flow tests in full to customers.

“Unfortunately, this change has come too late for the half-term holidays in Scotland, impacting the passenger recovery at Scottish airports. It demonstrates the continuing financial impact travel restrictions have on airports and an Aviation Recovery Package should be put in place by the UK and devolved governments urgently.

“Ultimately, aviation should return to normal, with no additional tests or other requirements. Great strides have been made in recent weeks, but we are not there yet. We will continue to work with the UK and devolved governments to achieve test-free travel in the future, just as our European competitors have.”

ENDS