Aeroporti di Roma achieves 'reassuring and encouraging results' in COVID-19 testing trial

Aeroporti di Roma reported (02-Feb-2021) "reassuring and encouraging results" from its COVID-19 testing pilot programme on Rome Fiumicino-Atlanta and Rome Fiumicino-New York JFK services, according to ACI Europe. The pilot scheme has been in operation since 08-Dec-2020 in partnership with Alitalia and Delta Air Lines. Out of 3824 passengers tested, only five (0.13%) were positive for COVID-19. ACI Europe stated this demonstrates that the tested services "had no impact on the prevalence of the virus in Italy" and indicates that testing is "an effective risk control measure without the need to resort to quarantines". ACI Europe stated the results "confirm previous assessments that the transmission and importation risks involved with air travel can be controlled and mitigated through testing". Aeroporti di Roma is seeking to extend the experimental phase of the trial beyond 15-Feb-2021 and involve more airlines and airports. Aeroporti di Roma CEO Marco Troncone commented: "The protocol we are currently trialling, focussing on the creation of international 'clean corridors', is proving to be fully suitable to support in maximum safety the much awaited recovery of air traffic and the relaunch of international connectivity". [more - original PR]