Ruth Haines
As countries implement various COVID-19 border control measures, many now require a negative PCR test result from each inbound passenger before they board their flight. This has led to long queues at airports, causing missed flights and potentially becoming points of transmission. To combat this, diagnostic laboratory providers have set up on-site testing laboratories at major airports, offering rapid and accurate PCR testing. For example, Kharkiv Airport in Ukraine offers PCR testing services 24/7, with results available within 25 to 45 minutes for rapid tests and around two hours for traditional RT-PCR tests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why PCR tests at airports? | Many countries require a negative PCR test result within a certain time frame before each inbound passenger takes off on their flight. |
| Why not rapid antigen tests? | Rapid antigen tests are less effective at detecting low levels of the virus at the beginning or end of someone's infectious period. Less accurate testing could allow new and unwanted strains of COVID-19 to infect new populations. |
| Where are PCR tests available at airports? | PCR testing facilities are available at major airports in the UK, Copenhagen, Liverpool, Jordan, and Kharkiv. |
| How much do PCR tests at airports cost? | At Kharkiv Airport, the price of a PCR test ranges from 990 UAH to 1,400 UAH depending on the destination and the type of test. |
| How long do PCR tests at airports take? | With new technologies, PCR tests can be completed within 25 to 45 minutes. Traditional PCR tests can take up to 4-6 hours. |
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What You'll Learn
Why PCR tests are required at airports
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are required at airports to ensure that inbound passengers are not carrying COVID-19 across borders. Many countries now require a negative PCR test result from each passenger within a certain time frame before take-off.
PCR tests are considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing due to their high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to viral loads. This level of accuracy is crucial to detect low levels of the virus, especially during the early or late stages of infection when an individual may be asymptomatic but still contagious. As such, PCR tests are preferred over rapid antigen tests, which are less effective at identifying low viral loads and could potentially allow new strains of COVID-19 to spread across borders.
The implementation of PCR testing at airports has been facilitated by recent technological advancements. Traditionally, PCR testing required a laboratory setting, resulting in slower processing times compared to rapid antigen testing. However, new PCR technologies such as Mic and Myra have enabled rapid and accurate testing at airports. These technologies have significantly reduced the time required for PCR testing, with results available within an hour and a half, preventing long queues and logistical challenges at airports.
The establishment of on-site testing laboratories at major airports ensures accuracy in COVID-19 management and helps maintain efficiency in airport operations. By investing in fast and accessible PCR testing equipment, airports can provide timely results to travellers and support effective border control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Long queues at airports for PCR tests
PCR tests are considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing due to their high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting viral loads. This makes them ideal for travel-related screening, as they effectively minimise the risk of transmission across borders. However, the labour-intensive nature of PCR testing, which traditionally requires a lab setting, has contributed to significant delays at airports worldwide.
For instance, travellers have reported multi-hour queues at airports in Portugal, India, and Britain due to mandatory PCR testing for inbound passengers. These delays can result in missed flights, additional testing burdens, and increased logistical challenges, especially at busy terminals. Moreover, lengthy queues themselves can become potential transmission hotspots if infectious individuals are present.
To address this issue, diagnostic laboratory providers have established on-site testing facilities at major airports. These laboratories prioritise accuracy and speed, utilising advanced technologies such as the Mic qPCR cycler to enhance efficiency. With these improvements, travellers can receive their PCR test results within 1.5 hours, significantly reducing the waiting time compared to manual processing, which could take up to 4-6 hours per sample.
Additionally, some countries like Jordan have implemented specific procedures for disembarking passengers, with separate lines for transit passengers and those requiring PCR tests. This helps streamline the process and potentially reduce queue lengths. Nevertheless, it is advisable for travellers to get tested before arriving at the airport whenever possible to avoid unexpected delays and ensure a smoother travel experience.
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Accuracy of PCR tests over rapid antigen tests
Many countries now require a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within a certain time frame before allowing inbound passengers to board their flights. This is because PCR tests are considered the gold standard for testing due to their high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to viral loads.
PCR tests are laboratory tests that use specialist equipment and often take at least 24 hours to produce a result. While rapid antigen tests are available for COVID-19, they are less effective at detecting low levels of the virus at the beginning or end of someone's infectious period. This could potentially allow new strains of COVID-19 to spread across borders.
Rapid antigen tests are less accurate when used in people with no symptoms of COVID-19. They are also less effective at ruling out infection in symptomatic people. Antigen tests correctly identified COVID-19 infection in an average of 73% of people with symptoms, compared to 55% of people without symptoms. Tests were most accurate when used in the first week after symptoms began, with an average of 82% of confirmed cases testing positive.
The demand for rapid testing at airports has led to long queues, which could become points of transmission if infected individuals are waiting in line. Therefore, it is important to balance speed with accuracy when selecting a testing method. New PCR technologies such as Mic and Myra support both rapid and accurate testing, with results available within 90 minutes. This efficiency is achieved by seamlessly transferring sample data between the liquid handling system and the cycler.
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On-site PCR testing laboratories at major airports
As countries implement COVID-19 border controls, many now require a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result from each inbound passenger before they board their flight. This has led to long queues at airports, causing delays and increasing the risk of transmission.
To address this, diagnostic laboratory providers have established networks of bespoke on-site testing laboratories at major airports. These on-site PCR testing facilities require accuracy to support vital COVID-19 management across borders. For example, the XpresSpa Group has opened XpresCheck, the first full-service, in-airport testing facility in the US, at JFK International Airport's Terminal 4. The facility can screen up to 500 people per day and is open to all JFK terminal employees, airline employees, and airport workers.
Another example is Liverpool Airport, which uses the Myra liquid handler, a system that is compatible with traditional 96- and 384-well PCR systems and integrates with the Mic qPCR Cycler. This allows for seamless data transfer between the liquid handling system and the cycler, significantly reducing processing time per sample.
The implementation of on-site PCR testing laboratories at major airports improves the efficiency and accuracy of COVID-19 testing for travellers, helping to reduce the risk of transmission and ensuring safe travel.
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Cost of PCR tests at airports
The cost of a PCR test at the airport varies depending on the country and the airport. Here is a list of PCR test costs at airports in different countries:
India
Several international airports in India offer PCR tests for passengers from countries considered "at-risk" who are required to undergo mandatory testing upon arrival. The rates for these tests vary across airports:
- The GMR Hyderabad International Airport charges Rs. 750 for a regular RT-PCR test and Rs. 3,900 for a rapid PCR test.
- The Chennai International Airport charges Rs. 2,900 for a rapid PCR test and Rs. 600 for a regular RT-PCR test.
- The Kolkata International Airport charges Rs. 700 for a regular RT-PCR test and Rs. 3,600 for a rapid PCR test.
- The Bangalore International Airport offers a rapid PCR test for Rs. 3,000 and a regular RT-PCR test for Rs. 500.
- The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport charges Rs. 2,700 for a rapid PCR test.
- The Calicut International Airport has reduced its rates for a rapid PCR test to Rs. 1,580.
- The Indira Gandhi International Airport offers a regular RT-PCR test for Rs. 500 and a rapid PCR test for Rs. 3,900.
- The Mumbai International Airport Limited had reduced its rate for a rapid PCR test to Rs. 3,900, and a regular RT-PCR test costs Rs. 600.
- The Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru charges Rs. 500 for a regular RT-PCR test and Rs. 2,750 for the Cepheid Gene Expert test.
Japan
Kansai International Airport in Japan charges a standard processing fee of $404 for a PCR test, making it one of the most expensive options.
Europe
Within Europe, the prices vary significantly. Riga Airport offers the cheapest PCR tests at $44, while Helsinki Vantaa Airport charges $214 for a Rapid Antigen Test. German airports generally charge around $80, and UK airports have prices ranging from $82 to $135.
United States
In the United States, the availability and cost of on-site PCR tests vary. Ft Lauderdale Airport is the most affordable option at $106, while San Francisco International Airport is the most expensive at $261.
Russia
Russian airports offer a more affordable and efficient testing regime, with prices ranging from $22 to $30 for standard processing, and results typically delivered within 12 hours.
Jordan
At Jordan's main airport, a QR code is required to take a PCR test upon disembarking.
It is important to note that the cost of PCR tests at airports can be influenced by various factors, including government regulations, taxation, infrastructure, staff costs, and laboratory expenses. Additionally, the availability and turnaround time of tests can impact the pricing, with faster premium services commanding higher fees.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many airports have on-site PCR testing facilities. For example, Kharkiv Airport has a testing station on the ground floor of Terminal A. Liverpool Airport also has multiple Mic cyclers and Myra liquid handlers set up to screen passengers.
While every country has its own requirements for COVID-19 border control, many now require a negative PCR test result from each inbound passenger before they board their flight. This is because PCR testing is considered to be the most accurate testing method, with greater sensitivity and specificity to viral loads.
The time it takes to receive a PCR test result at the airport depends on the technology being used. Traditional PCR tests can take 4-6 hours of processing per sample, whereas new technologies such as the Mic qPCR cycler can deliver results within 1.5 hours. High-speed PCR tests can provide results within 25 to 45 minutes.
