Alitalia covid tested flights, 25 positives stopped before boarding
In recent days, Alitalia announced the extension of the trial of Rome/Milan flights and vice versa, where access is granted only if [...]
Alitalia
LIN
In recent days, Alitalia has announced the extension of the trial of Rome/Milan flights and vice versa, where you only gain access if you have a negative swab or only if you submit to the test upon boarding.
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The experiment that was due to end in mid-October. will continue for a few more weeks in order to have more data to analyze.
Please be informed that the Covid-Tested experimental flights between Rome and Milan, have been extended. All information can be found here >>> https://t.co/44cazXiCJZ pic.twitter.com/IMMdeFIdIB
- Alitalia (@Alitalia) October 20, 2020
According to reports published by "Corriere" and based on data provided by the Italian airline, a total of 25 passengers were stopped and sent home because they tested positive, or 0.8% of all those who boarded. A very similar thing happens to those who want to embark on a cruise ship, the green light in this case happens only after testing at embarkations, a certification of negativity of a swab performed in the previous days is not enough.
The strategy of Alitalia, the first airline in the world to activate this policy on at least a couple of flights, is being closely watched by all world airlines and governments. Today, there are airlines that require to have a negative test no older than 72 hours, or 3 days, to board for a specific destination, because that is how the governments of many nations demand in order to issue the okay to enter the country.
Alitalia's, however, is the first example in which all passengers are mandatorily required to be buffered in order to be cleared for boarding. It is hoped that this modality, implemented with the cooperation of the airports, may become a standard thereby alleviating the restrictions and bans that are now, in fact, crippling global air travel.
Covid test at airport for arriving passengers
The trial
According to data provided by Alitalia in the first month of operation, about 3,700 passengers boarded. Covid-tested flights are, from Rome to Milan, AZ 2038 of 1:30 p.m. (active every day of the week) and AZ 2092 of 5:20 p.m. (active Monday through Friday, from October 26 it departs at 5:30 p.m.). From Linate to Fiumicino, the Covid-tested flights are the 10:00 a.m. AZ 2039 (operating every day of the week) and the 5:00 p.m. AZ 2061 (operating Monday through Friday).
There were 13 positive passengers who were about to board in Rome and 12 who wanted to take the reverse route and were instead reported to health authorities for further investigation. If we consider that 15% of the passengers showed up for boarding with a negative molecular swab result, the percentage of positives "caught" is about one in every four flights.
Logistics
An additional challenge for ports of call is organizing suitable locations to carry out these procedures. Around the world each airport adopted a different strategy, trying to avoid too much inconvenience to passengers but ensuring, of course, all safety procedures.
Covid test at airport for arriving passengers
But if a large-scale extension of the measure is considered, it will no longer be possible to carry out these operations outside the airport sterile area, otherwise connecting passengers will be forced to exit and go through security again, with the risk of people getting off one plane and continuing their journey on a second flight missing their flight.
Companies, Alitalia included, are also considering in consultation with health authorities the use of salivary tests that would seem to offer the same guarantees of reliability as rapid swabs. This would not only guarantee a reduction in time, but also in the costs that the companies-and, of course, by spillover, the passengers-have to bear.
