In the meantime, quick test results in travel are recognized in Germany and Austria and are on an equal footing with the PCR results when entering the country. However, Austrian Airlines discontinued the so-called “Tested Flights” program some time ago. This would now offer travelers advantages, because the fresh findings entitle them to enter both countries.

The AUA wanted to revise the project in January and put it on a new footing, but nothing has happened so far that is noticeable to passengers. An airline spokeswoman told Aviation Direct that it was on the issue "Tested Flights" is currently no news.

"The Lufthansa Group is currently working in a coordinated manner on which services we can offer our passengers in the future around the subject of health protection when traveling, also with a view to summer 2021. The focus is currently on further cooperation with test providers and simplified control of Test / vaccination certificates to speed up processes at the airport. The transfer testing for Shanghai is still going very well - otherwise no new routes at the moment, ”said the media officer.

Test run in the previous year had no benefits for passengers

Towards the end of 2020, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa have so-called "Tested Flights" introduced on a trial basis. For example, on the Vienna-Hamburg route, all passengers and crew members were given a quick test. This did not bring any advantages when entering the country, because at that point in time antigen results were not recognized in Germany or Austria.

In the Alpine republic That changed on December 19, 2020. Since then, both PCR and rapid test results can be presented upon entry. Germany followed suit in early 2021 and also accepts antigen results. This makes the two countries rather the exception, because most countries continue to insist on PCR results.

AUA could get money from the state with tests

The fact that the antigen tests are not carried out before departure, for example in the direction of Germany, is also surprising in a certain way, because Austrian Airlines could even earn money with it. The government rewards companies that carry out antigen tests with ten euros per test carried out. The prerequisite for this is that these are open not only to our own employees, but also to the population.

Specifically, this means that the AUA could also earn money from tests carried out for passengers from competitors or people who come to the airport to be tested. As mentioned, the government would pay ten euros for each rapid test carried out, which is free of charge for the test subjects.

Incidentally, the pharmacy at Vienna Airport is not planning to join the government's antigen testing program. The so-called self-test kits will be offered for sale, but will not be offered for antigen testing against payment or as part of the government-funded test program. The airport pharmacy confirmed this to Aviation Direct by telephone. An interactive map of the locations that offer free rapid tests can be found at this link.