Covid Testing: Airport Availability And Accessibility

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact travel plans, many airports are offering on-site testing facilities to curb the spread of the virus. From Dubai to Tokyo, and across the United States, several airports now provide testing services for passengers and, in some cases, members of the public. Testing options include rapid antigen tests, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, and antibody tests. While some airports offer testing to all passengers, others cater to specific airlines' passengers only. Testing facilities are often located within terminal buildings, with results available within a few hours or days.

Rapid COVID-19 testing at airports

Several airports around the world now offer rapid COVID-19 testing to curb the spread of the virus and ensure safer travel. Here is some information about rapid COVID-19 testing at airports:

Rapid Testing Availability at Airports:

Many airports have introduced rapid COVID-19 testing facilities to meet the growing demand for testing, especially for international travel. Notable examples include the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which offers rapid molecular PCR tests with results available in 30 minutes. Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada has also been at the forefront of rapid testing research, conducting a ten-week antigen test study and exploring the efficiency of rapid PCR and antigen testing for both airport workers and passengers.

On-Site Testing for Passengers:

Dubai International Airport was one of the first to introduce rapid testing, conducting quick blood tests at the group check-in area of Terminal 3, with results within 10 minutes. Tokyo Narita Airport in Japan also offers on-site testing for arriving passengers from high-risk areas, with results available within six hours to two days. Similarly, Hong Kong International Airport mandates COVID-19 testing for all arriving travelers, with results in eight hours for those from high-risk destinations.

Testing for Airport Employees:

Airports have also prioritized the health and safety of their employees by providing rapid testing options. For instance, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) at Toronto Pearson Airport launched a research program to study the efficacy of antigen testing and rapid PCR testing in a high-throughput environment, offering free COVID-19 tests to employees and select passengers. Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, in collaboration with MUSC Health, established a mobile COVID-19 testing site easily accessible to airport employees, stakeholders, and the community.

Testing Location and Accessibility:

Rapid COVID-19 testing sites at airports are typically located within the terminal buildings or in nearby halls. For example, Bordeaux Airport in France offers COVID-19 testing in Hall A, while Marseille Provence Airport provides testing in Hall B of Terminal 1. These testing centers are generally open daily and often do not require appointments, ensuring accessibility for travelers and staff.

Pre-flight COVID-19 testing requirements

Testing Requirements and Availability:

• Many countries require a negative COVID-19 test result (either PCR or antigen test) within a specified time frame before travel, such as 24, 48, or 72 hours. It is important to check the specific requirements for your destination country.
• Some countries or airports may accept only PCR tests, while others may also accept rapid antigen tests.
• Several airports across the globe offer on-site COVID-19 testing facilities for passengers. For example, Dubai International Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport, and various French airports provide testing services.
• In the United States, airports like San Diego International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport have offered COVID-19 testing for travellers during the holiday season.

Testing Procedures and Considerations:

• On-site airport testing is typically available with or without an appointment, but booking a slot in advance can be beneficial.
• Test results times vary; rapid tests can provide results within minutes, while PCR tests may take 24 hours or more.
• Testing fees vary based on the type of test and location. Antigen tests are generally less expensive than PCR tests.
• If testing positive, it is essential to follow local guidelines and recommendations, which may include quarantining and avoiding travel until you test negative again.
• Always check the latest information and guidelines from official sources, such as airport websites, health authorities, or government websites, as requirements can change rapidly.

By staying informed about the pre-flight COVID-19 testing requirements and taking the necessary steps, you can help ensure a safer travel experience for yourself and others.

On-site COVID-19 testing labs at airports

Airports have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, with many implementing mask mandates and social distancing measures. In addition, several airports now offer on-site COVID-19 testing labs to curb the spread of the virus and provide peace of "mind to travellers."

International Airports with On-site Testing

Dubai International Airport was one of the first airports to conduct rapid COVID-19 tests in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The quick blood tests are performed at the group check-in area of Terminal 3, with results available within 10 minutes. Similarly, Tokyo Narita Airport in Japan has initiated on-site COVID-19 tests for arriving passengers from high-risk areas, with results available within six hours to two days. Hong Kong International Airport also mandates COVID-19 testing for all arriving travellers, with results available within eight hours for those from high-risk destinations.

U.S. Airports with On-site Testing

Several U.S. airports have also introduced on-site testing facilities. Tampa International Airport was the first in the country to establish an on-site testing centre in partnership with BayCare Health System. Oakland International Airport, San Diego International Airport, and Denver International Airport are among those offering COVID-19 tests to travellers.

French Airports with On-site Testing

French airports such as Bordeaux Airport, Lille Airport, and Marseille Provence Airport provide COVID-19 testing services for passengers. These tests are often available with or without an appointment, and results are typically available within 24 hours for PCR tests and 20 minutes for antigen tests.

The availability of on-site COVID-19 testing at airports is a valuable resource for travellers, ensuring safer journeys and contributing to the global effort to curb the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 testing for airport staff

COVID-19 testing is available for airport staff at several airports around the world. Here are some examples:

Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport has made it mandatory for all travellers arriving at the airport to undergo COVID-19 testing. Those arriving from high-risk destinations receive test results within eight hours. In addition, the Hong Kong government has also made it compulsory for airport area workers, including those employed by the government and any statutory body or airport business partners, to undergo COVID-19 testing if they intend to continue working at the airport.

Entebbe International Airport, Uganda

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) decided to test 1,000 airport employees at Entebbe International Airport after two airport employees tested positive for COVID-19. The testing of airport employees started on August 27, 2020, and went on until August 31, 2020.

Charleston International Airport, USA

Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, USA, collaborated with MUSC Health to offer a mobile COVID-19 diagnostic testing site for airport employees, stakeholders, and the community. The testing site was open for three days in November 2020, and the leaders of both organizations encouraged people to get tested before travelling or gathering for the holidays.

French Airports

Several French airports, including Bordeaux, Lille, Brest, Marseille Provence, and Lyon, offer COVID-19 testing facilities for passengers and members of the public, which would also be accessible to airport staff. Testing is usually available for PCR and antigen tests, with results taking anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of days, depending on the type of test.

Other Airports

Other international airports that have offered on-site COVID-19 testing for travellers, which may also be accessible to airport staff, include Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, Tokyo Narita Airport in Japan, and Singapore's immigration checkpoints. These testing facilities aim to curb the spread of COVID-19 and ensure safer travel.

Cost of COVID-19 tests at airports

The cost of COVID-19 tests at airports varies depending on the country and the type of test. Here is a list of COVID-19 test costs at various airports:

United States

• Charleston International Airport, South Carolina: In collaboration with MUSC Health, the airport offered a mobile COVID-19 testing site in November 2020. Testing was available to airport employees, stakeholders, and the community. However, the specific cost of the tests is not mentioned.
• SFO: COVID-19 tests at the United Technical Operations parking lot are priced at $105.
• KLIA: RT-PCR testing costs between US$60 and US$90 for Malaysians and US$88 to US$112 for foreigners.

United Kingdom

• Luton Airport: Antibody tests cost £40, antigen tests cost £50, and PCR tests cost £99.
• Heathrow Airport: The RT-PCR package, including Day 2 and Day 8 tests, costs £198.
• Unspecified UK Airport: Antigen tests cost £55, and PCR tests cost £80.

France

• Marseille Provence Airport: Antigen tests cost €30, and PCR tests cost €50.
• Bordeaux Airport: The cost of COVID-19 tests is not specified, but the testing service is available to anyone who needs to fulfil travel requirements.
• Lille Airport: Antigen and PCR tests are available, but the cost is not mentioned.
• Brest Airport: Antigen and PCR tests are offered, but no information is provided about the cost.

Other Countries

• Singapore: US$90.
• Thailand: US$42 to US$48.
• Indonesia: US$19 to US$21.
• Dubai: US$13.
• India: US$4.

It is important to note that the prices mentioned may change over time and may not be the most recent. Additionally, some countries and airports may have updated their testing requirements or implemented new measures. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the official sources and the latest updates for the specific airport and country you are interested in.

Frequently asked questions