Delta and Alitalia to launch ‘quarantine free’ flights from US to Italy

Delta and Alitalia are to launch “quarantine free” flights from the US to Italy, opening up the first such route linking the US and Europe since travel restrictions were introduced during the pandemic. The US airline said that from next month passengers travelling on select flights from Atlanta to Rome would not have to self-isolate if they test negative for Covid-19 three times. Travellers will be asked to take a gold-standard PCR test 72 hours before departure, and then rapid tests at the airport in Atlanta before boarding and again on arrival in Italy.  The new system will apply to all EU citizens and to US citizens travelling for essential reasons such as work, in line with current Italian immigration rules.  A US ban on European travellers flying from Europe remains in place. However, US airline executives believe the White House is considering lifting the ban on EU and UK nationals but has not yet made a final decision, according to two people briefed on the matter. Several airlines have launched flights between the US and Europe that test passengers as they travel, but Delta and Alitalia’s flights to Rome are the first that will allow travellers who have been tested to skip quarantine. Marco Troncone, CE of Aeroporti di Roma, said he hoped the programme would be extended to other airports in Europe. “It’s hard to convey this message to governments and policymakers but I think we’re close to a breakthrough,” he said. “Quarantines don’t work, they are inefficient and hard to police.”<br/>