Travel restrictions, tough entry regulations and, in some cases, extremely short-term travel warnings, which are sometimes controversial, make life difficult for the flight and tourism industry. Politicians are hoping that a vaccine will be available as soon as possible.

However, the sector is slowly but surely running out of air, because winter is traditionally rather weak anyway. Normally you always deserved a fat cushion in summer, with which you could get through the cold season without any problems. This was not possible this year, however, and recent travel restrictions and the associated low demand could now put many hotels, tour operators and airlines in real trouble. Either the states step in and take the suffering industry under the wings or there is a threat of a wave of bankruptcies. As a result, thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people in Europe alone will lose their jobs. Therefore, the call for new ways to ensure safe travel and thus the survival of an entire industry is getting louder and louder. At the moment the main problem is that many countries allow entry if a negative PCR test is presented, but it is very expensive to get in Austria, for example. Often you need one on your journey home again, which adds up to the costs. Some countries allow quarantine, which lasts up to 14 days, as an alternative, but others say: "You cannot come in here."

Airlines, tour operators and hoteliers are now hoping that some kind of interim solution will come. One thinks of rapid PCR tests, the reliability of which was recently rated as “good” by the WHO and other health authorities. The result should be available within a maximum of 15 minutes. In case of doubt and in the case of a positive test, the classic PCR test should be carried out on the spot for verification. The advantages of these quick tests are obvious: The costs are currently around 15 euros, the result is fixed in around 15 minutes and it is thus possible to test all travelers in a mandatory manner. This provides additional security for passengers, crews, but also other employees such as airport employees, bus drivers, taxi drivers and so on.

The United Kingdom has already shown great interest in such a solution and has ordered corresponding rapid tests, which are already approved there, in large numbers. What exactly you want to do with it, the government around Boris Johnson apparently does not yet know exactly. But the use at airports is quite conceivable, whereby international coordination appears to be absolutely necessary.

Passengers would accept and pay ten to 15 euros

A scenario that many airline board members currently want is as follows: Before departure, for example during the security check, a corona quick test is carried out. If this is negative, the passenger is allowed to fly and receives a corresponding confirmation. If the result is positive, a classic PCR test should be carried out for verification. The local health authorities then have to decide how to proceed. The advantage of this simulation game is that travel restrictions can largely be lifted, since only people whose tests turned out negative can board the plane and subsequently travel to the destination country. Although the airlines would like the costs for the rapid tests to be borne by “someone else”, ie free of charge for the travelers, in discussions with Aviation.Direct, the managers also stated that costs between ten and 15 euros are highly likely to be Sense of safety and health are accepted by passengers.

For the airlines, it would be a minor matter to make it compulsory to take part in the quick tests, or to sell it as an option when booking tickets. The barcode on the boarding pass could be used to determine at the test station that the corresponding fee has already been paid by the airline. Otherwise, you could collect the fee on the spot using an ATM or credit card or in cash. People who have had themselves tested in a laboratory and have a negative result could easily be excluded from the rapid tests.

But also exciting is the fact that the CEOs of renowned airlines with whom Aviation.Direct did not want to be quoted by name on the subject of PCR rapid tests uniso. At the moment there is too great a concern that one will become a target of politics, because it is more likely to propagate that the population should not travel, but should stay at home. From this it is also deduced that the willingness to establish new and innovative solutions in the interests of the aviation and tourism industry is currently politically undesirable. Unfortunately, the more the financial situation of the providers worsens, the greater the pressure will become.

In any case, the wish of many airliners is that a corona quick test is carried out during the security check. The structural possibilities for this would be available at many airports and with a little good will it would be possible that the passengers do not have to be on the spot for the result and a piece of paper, but rather this is sent by email or in an app. Alternatively, this could also be printed out and distributed in paper form directly at the gate while scanning the boarding pass. According to the airlines, the effort for this would be minimal and could be implemented quickly by the IT experts at the airports and airlines. One low-cost airline even said that the software implementation would take around two days and that if the department worked night shifts, everything would be ready within 24 hours.

WU Vienna relies on rapid tests

The Vienna University of Economics and Business is currently acting a bit as a guinea pig for rolling out rapid PCR tests, because the students are now being tested. If the result is positive, access to the lecture hall is denied and a classic PCR test is carried out for verification. Incidentally, the result of the rapid test should be available within 15 minutes. Initially, the concept is used in the introductory lectures and affects around 3.000 students. With the experience gained, the aim is to extend the rapid tests to other areas. A possible area of ​​application would be tourism and aviation. But it will be a long time before that happens, because this form of corona testing is still controversial. Various laboratories may also stir up their concerns, because after all, they could topple over with revenues in the millions if the daily PCR test volume is reduced. From the point of view of an Austrian airline boss, the quick tests before departure, ideally as part of the regular security check, would be a good way to ensure even more security and at the same time make it easier for airlines and tourism to survive. Of course, the industry doesn't think much of blanket flight bans, travel warnings including quarantine and other harassment.