Aviation chiefs intensify calls for testing despite vaccine optimism

Aviation bosses have stepped up calls for coronavirus tests for airline passengers to replace quarantine as they warn that the vaccine breakthrough may distract from the immediate priority to open up air travel. The CEs of British Airways, Delta, Airbus and easyJet have ratcheted up pleas to countries such as the UK to introduce pre-flight testing as industry losses mount following the collapse in passenger numbers. Although welcoming Pfizer’s successful trials that prompted a rally in shares, they warn of the time it may take to meet the huge logistical challenge of immunising large sections of the world’s population. “Testing is going to be critical to opening up international travel. It is going to take a while before the vaccine rollout,” Delta boss Ed Bastian said. He added that in the short term a vaccine “could be a negative to travel” as people hold off booking flights until they have been immunised. Johan Lundgren, easyJet chief executive, told the FT: “I think there are reasons to be positive. But as you would imagine and expect, nobody knows how long this pandemic will continue before you see the vaccine being rolled out.” BA chief executive Sean Doyle said: “The vaccine is great news, and we are encouraged by that. But the details of when it is rolled out, to what scale and when it will have a material effect on travel is unclear. It is obvious we need a solution in the short term to get travel going again.” Two different jabs are likely to be approved before the end of the year, but the aviation industry does not expect to begin to see the benefits until well into 2021.<br/>