One of the bigger private testers – Collinson – is to expand its testing capacity with new locations opening up to enable travellers to test when the time comes.
Collinson’s new drive-through testing facility at Gatwick – Image, Collinson.
The testing group will open new facilities at Gatwick Airport and the O2 Arena, and expand operations at Luton Airport.
Collinson is hoping that the travel bans are lifted and to support travel and is expecting a surge in demand.
The latest drive-through COVID-19 testing facility, a short drive from Gatwick Airport, will allow passengers to choose from a variety of tests including polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), RT-LAMP, Antigen and Antibody.
In addition, Collinson is an accredited provider for those arriving in the UK to comply with the Mandatory Testing for International Arrivals programme, as well as the optional ‘Test to Release for International Travel’ scheme.
Travellers can book their mandatory testing package via the Collinson website for £198. The first test in the package can be taken on arrival – extremely convenient for passengers arriving at Gatwick Airport.
Collinson offers facilities at
- East Midlands Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- London City Airport
- London Luton Airport
- London Heathrow Terminal 2
- London Heathrow Terminal 5
- London Stansted
- Manchester Airport
- The O2, London
Collinson is offering travellers even more choice to access testing. As the first private provider to be given the go-ahead to offer the mandatory travel tests currently required by the UK Government directly in the airport terminal, the in-person testing process offered across all of Collinson’s testing facilities makes it easy for travellers to comply with Government guidelines by taking their first test on the day of arrival. Customers can then travel – using private transport wherever possible and following Government guidelines – to any of Collinson’s testing centres for their second test on or after Day 8, including the convenient drive-through facilities at the 02 Arena and Gatwick.
In Quotes
David Evans, Joint CEO, Collinson, said,
“Our ongoing work with the aviation and travel industry, coupled with our investment in creating the most flexible, convenient testing processes for passengers coming in and out of the UK goes hand in hand with our commitment to helping the travel industry recover.”
We know that airport testing will be at the heart of this and offers the best way to get passengers back in the air safely. Travel testing is key to a successful summer for both consumers and the industry and we hope that in expanding the testing operations we already have in place, we will confidently meet the expected surge in demand once travel restrictions are lifted.
Nick Caunter, Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) said,
“With many people in the UK looking to go abroad this summer just as soon as restrictions are eased, we are delighted our partnership with Collinson will provide convenient testing capabilities near Gatwick Airport. Given the governments’ current requirements for testing on day two and eight of arrival back in the UK, the more convenience we can offer passengers flying from or living near Gatwick, the better.”
Waiting for summer… and a review
For test providers – as well as the travel industry – there is a lot of breath being held for the Global Travel Travel Taskforce review which is due to report on the 12th April, where they find out if the capacity is needed or when it is required.
A lot of people and organisations are waiting to see what happens for Summer 2021. With the spectre of a third wave of COVID in Europe, as well as the desire for the public to travel (and not just for holidays, but for families to reconnect with each other).
There is a lot of play for – and still a lot of questions to be answered about how the summer season will unfold.
However – having the reassurance and services of testing could well be important for everyone.
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