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‘Prohibitive’ PCR test costs will hinder airlines’ recovery, IATA says
Costly PCR tests will impact the air travel recovery as national borders slowly reopen, the International Air Transport Association said.
Current costs of PCT tests could raise the cost of an average airfare by 45 to 90% it says.
"The real risk here is that these prohibitive costs will prevent families from exercising their freedom to travel, to visit friends, to take a holiday," Willie Walsh, IATA director-general said during a virtual press briefing.
"As a society, we just cannot allow a situation to develop where only the rich can afford to travel again."
IATA research shows wide variations in prices between different countries and even within the same country.
Based on the average pre-pandemic cost of a one-way airline ticket at $200, a $90 PCR test raises the cost by 45%.
With the exception of France which funds the cost of testing, average test costs were from $90 to $208.
"People are being gouged by these high prices. Governments continue to mandate these tests but are taking their big slice of the pie through VAT charges," Walsh said.
There are significant mark-ups as IATA estimates the actual cost of PCR testing to be $15.
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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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