A International Air Transport Association (IATA – International Air Transport Association) urged governments not to let the high costs of Covid-19 testing derail travel for engers. To facilitate the efficient resumption of international travel, COVID-19 tests must be affordable, rapid, widely available and effective.
IATA analyzed the costs of PCR tests (the test most required by governments) in 16 countries and the values showed variations between markets and within markets. Discoveries include:
• Of the markets surveyed, only bears the costs of testing travelers, in line with the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Of the 15 markets surveyed where the traveler bears the costs of PCR tests:
o On average, the minimum test cost is $90.
o On average, the maximum test cost is $208.
Even considering the minimum cost above, including PCR tests in airline fares would add considerably to the cost for travelers. Before the crisis, a one-way ticket including taxes and fees averaged $200 (2019 data). The $90 PCR test increases the cost by 45%, bringing the total to $290.
Add another test at the destination and the one-way cost would increase by 90% to $380. Considering that two tests are required on each flight, the average cost of a round trip can go up significantly from $400 to $760. XNUMX per enger.
The impact of COVID-19 testing costs on family travel would be even more severe. Based on average ticket prices ($200) and minimum cost of PCR testing ($90) twice on each flight, a round trip for four people would cost $1.600 pre-COVID, could increase to almost double and reach US$ 3.040 – of this amount, US$ 1.440 would be spent on tests.
“With the lifting of travel restrictions in domestic markets, we see a strong increase in demand. The same can be expected in international markets. But demand can be compromised significantly by the costs of tests, especially PCR tests. As the cost of any product rises, demand will be stifled.”
“The impact will be greater on short-haul trips (up to 1.100 km), with average fares of US$105, as the tests will cost more than the flight. This is not what we want to propose to engers when travel resumes. Testing costs must be managed in an orderly manner.”
“This is a key step for governments to save jobs in the tourism and transport sectors and enable freedom of travel for all people, not just the rich.”, said Willie Walsh, director general of IATA.
According to the WHO, states must bear the costs of testing
The International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization stipulate that states should not charge for the test or vaccine required for travel, nor for issuing certificates.
The WHO COVID Emergency Committee recently reiterated this position, calling on governments to reduce the costs imposed on international travelers to meet testing requirements and other public health measures implemented by countries.
Many states are ignoring their international treaty obligations, putting the resumption of travel and millions of jobs at risk. In addition, high testing costs encourage the market for fake certificates.
“Test costs should not interfere with people's freedom to travel. The best solution is for these costs to be borne by governments, as this is their responsibility according to WHO guidelines. We must not allow the cost of testing – particularly PCR testing – to limit the freedom to travel.”
“The successful resumption of travel means a lot to people – such as job security, business opportunities and the need to see family and friends. Governments must act quickly to ensure that testing costs do not further delay the resumption of travel.”Walsh said.
Among the markets surveyed, has the best practice. The country bears the cost of testing, including tests to facilitate travel. The European Parliament is on the right track. Last week, he called for testing to be universal, accessible, fast and free across the European Community.
“ and the European Parliament are helping to pave the way. We are in an economic and health emergency. Testing is part of the road to recovery. Therefore, it is the government's responsibility to ensure that testing is accessible to all. If governments cannot guarantee free testing, they must at least ensure that testing companies do not profit from people who just want to get their lives and travel habits back to normal. And this should also apply to the governments themselves, which, under no circumstances, should charge taxes for this fundamental service”, said Walsh.
The wide variation in testing costs should spark discussions between governments. “How come the minimum cost of a PCR test can be US$77 in Australia and US$278 in Japan, for example?” Walsh said. Data from Numbeo indicates that the cost of living in Sydney, Australia and Tokyo, Japan is similar.
The markets analyzed by IATA were Australia, Brazil, , , Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.
Not all of these markets require PCR testing. However, entry requirements with PCR tests in many states make making options available everywhere critical to the resumption of travel.
Street: IATA
