Delta CEO: Domestic pre-flight testing a ‘horrible idea’

Saturday, 10 Feb, 2021 0

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has joined the chorus of discontent over a proposal for pre-travel testing for US domestic flights.

It’s a ‘horrible idea’ Bastian told CNN.

While passengers on international inbound flights require a negative Covid-19 test, expanding it to all domestic flights will set back a recovery by another year, Bastian says.

It would also cause a strain on Covid testing facilities across the country, considering about one million passengers are traveling each day.

That would take away testing equipment for those ‘truly in need’ and would be a ‘logistical nightmare.’

Other airlines, unions and groups including the U.S. Travel Association have voiced strong opposition to the idea.

Although there is no certainty a domestic testing program will happen, it is being seriously considered.

"First and foremost, I would really encourage people to not travel but if we are traveling, this would be yet another mitigation measure to try and decrease the spread," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters at a White House press briefing this week.

Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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