IndiGo has teamed up with testing provider Stemz Healthcare to offer all passengers optional COVID-19 tests. Passengers can book a test on their travel date and have the test taken at home or a nearby clinic. The test will also be available at a lower price for IndiGo passengers and is available on domestic and international flights.
Pre-flight testing
IndiGo is offering all passengers traveling domestic or internationally the option to add a pre-flight COVID-19 test. While most states within India have dropped testing requirements, many may still prefer to get a test before flying. Tests can also be booked for the return leg of the flight, allowing passengers to be tested at the destination city as well (if available).
The main users of the new service will likely be international passengers flying with IndiGo. Most countries, including passengers returning to India, require COVID-19 tests taken 48-96 hours before the flight. Passengers can now book their tests with their tickets and schedule them before the flight.
Countries that require a negative test before the flight include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong SAR, Qatar, Maldives, and more. With many countries tightening pre-flight requirements, it’s important to schedule a test well in advance to ensure travelers have their results in time.
Testing
IndiGo has partnered with Stemz Healthcare to offer pre-flight testing, one of India’s largest testing provides. The company offers 200+ collection centers all over India, covering major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and more. Testing centers are also available in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait for international passengers.
Testing is also available at a discounted price for travelers. Having recently booked tickets with IndiGo, I tried to book a test as well. Test prices were 25% lower than usual in my city, which could attract many passengers.
The test available is the highly accurate RT-PCR test, which means results could take over a day to arrive. Testing is largely seen as an important step in reopening international travel and allowing passengers to fly. However, there is still no common testing standard for all countries, making the process harder.
Domestic recovery continues
As domestic flights pick up, IndiGo has secured a substantial share of the market. The current pandemic has pushed its market share to nearly 60%, it’s highest ever. The airline recently decided to overhaul its fleet, retiring all its A320-200s for the more efficient A320neo family.
India has seen some of the highest COVID-19 cases in the world, but the domestic market has continued to recover. Estimates suggest that passenger traffic could recover as soon as the new year, greatly boosting revenues.
What do you think about this testing program? Would you book a test with an airline? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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