Flying in the age of coronavirus comes packed with uncertainty about the health status of fellow travelers. Now, Florida's Tampa International Airport is running a pilot program that offers on-the-spot COVID-19 tests for travelers.

With more than 120 people participating in the optional testing per day, Joe Lopano, Tampa International Airport CEO, said the program is showing promising results.

"We've had some customers who have tested positive and Baycare, the healthcare professionals, have a discussion with that passenger and tell them that they should not continue on their way and passengers have accepted it," Lopano told Cheddar.

The airport offers two tests, the $125 PCR nasal swab, which usually takes 3 to 4 days to yield results, and the $50 rapid Antigen test. The cost of both tests, Lopano said, can be covered by insurance companies if travelers provide a receipt from the airport.

Testing at the airport, according to Lopano, will not have much impact on overall travel time. In fact, those not checking a bag only need to account for an additional 30 minutes as a cushion, he added. 

"It's immediate testing. Sometimes you have to wait in a short line. You'll get your results in 15 minutes, so it really is not a very time-consuming function and it's very convenient," Lopano said.

While other airports have implemented testing for specific destinations, Lopano said Tampa is the first to offer widespread testing for passengers on all flights arriving and departing. The pilot program is likely to continue running through the holiday season as the number of participants and customer satisfaction is assessed.

For Lopano, offering a testing site at the airport is not only maintaining passenger safety but can also help revitalize a struggling travel industry that is fighting to get customers off the ground.

"It's a high priority because we need to do whatever we can to create confidence in the travel experience and now that widespread testing is available, the technology is available, what better way to do that than right at the airport," he said.

Share:
More In Business
Rent The Runway Prepares to go Public
Rent the Runway is making its trading debut on the NASDAQ. The fashion company has struggled since the onset of the pandemic, not having turned a profit since 2019. Crunchbase reporter Sophia Kunthara explains how Rent the Runway has had to make necessary changes to its business model in order to keep itself afloat.
What You Need to Know About Democrats' Billionaire Tax Plan
As negotiations drag on in Washington, DC over President Biden's social spending bills, Senate Democrats have introduced a new idea to fund Biden's plans: taxing the unrealized capital gains held by billionaires. Barron's reporter Sabrina Escobar joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where she explains what's in the billionaire tax proposal, who it will impact, and why it's on the table.
Stocks Close at Session Lows Before Ford Drives to Earnings Beat
Jay Jacobs, SVP and Head of Research & Strategy, at Global X ETFs, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he explains why the Dow and S&P fell from their recent records during Wednesday's session. Jacobs also broke down the numbers in Ford's Q3 earnings as the results rolled in.
New Report Finds Corporate Directors Becoming More Diverse
Two recent studies by Conference Board, ESGauge, and Spencer Stuart find that the number of Black directors at S&P 500 companies is growing, but more needs to be done in order to see real gains in the boardroom. Jerusha Stewart, CEO of Take Your Seat joins Cheddar News to discuss what more needs to be done for a more inclusive workplace.
Flock Freight Raises $215 Million
The freight industry has its newest unicorn. Flock Freight recently reached the $1 billion mark after recently raising $215 million dollars. It comes during a watershed moment for the global shipping and freight industry, with the pandemic and other issues leading to the ongoing supply chain crisis. Flock Freight and its shared truckload service may be a solution. Flock Freight CEO Oren Zaslansky joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Load More