Delta CEO rejects Biden’s proposal to require Covid testing for domestic travelers

Delta CEO rejects Biden’s proposal to require Covid testing for domestic travelers

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Bastain told CNN’s Poppy Harlow on Tuesday that the proposal being discussed by the Biden administration would drain the testing resources of the people who need it most. He said the number of confirmed cases of Covid transmitted during air travel since the start of the pandemic was “absolutely minimal”.

“This will not keep domestic passengers safer,” he said. The planes have hospital-grade air filters on board and exchange fresh air in the cabin every few minutes, reducing the chance of transmission.

“Indeed [there are] very, very few documented cases globally, not just in the domestic market, “said Bastain of air travel-related infections. He added that the requirement for home testing would consume” about 10% “of the resources the country needs” to test people sick. people.”

Covid tests are needed by some international travelers in an effort to prevent new variants of the virus from spreading more quickly in the United States. Tests are also required before boarding flights to Hawaii, but not for most domestic flights.

Bastain said adding the requirement would be a “logistical nightmare” that would be a fatal blow to the already struggling airline and hospitality industries.

“That would delay us another year in recovery,” he predicted.

Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN that there is still no decision to require testing, but it is one of the options being considered by the Centers for Disease Control.

“There has to be common sense science and medicine really driving that,” he said.

Delta announced on Monday that it will continue not to reserve passengers in the middle seats of its planes until at least April. It is the only airline in the US that continues to limit capacity.

“It is expensive. There is no doubt about it,” said Bastain. But the cost of keeping the middle seat open is partly offset by higher fares that Delta has been able to charge, he added.

The amount Delta passengers paid on average for each mile traveled in the last three months of the year fell by only 3% compared to the pre-pandemic period of the previous year. This is significantly better than the other three major US airlines – American (AAL), United (UAL) and South-west (LUV) – who are struggling with falls of 15% to 19%.

“People are prioritizing, as they should, their health, safety and comfort while traveling,” said Bastain. “And we are receiving a significant award for travel on Delta.”

US considers Covid-19 test requirement for domestic air travel

Delta began offering vaccines to its employees at Atlanta Hartsfield Airport this week, prioritizing employees 65 and older. The company also offers vaccines to employees of other airlines.

Some suggested that vaccines should be required of all airline employees who interact with the public. But Bastain said it was too early to discuss this requirement.

“First of all, most of our employees are not even able to get the vaccines. We don’t have the supplies yet, ”he said. “We are going to strongly encourage vaccination. I know our people understand how important it is to restore confidence in travel and vaccination is one of the steps we will take. I think this is a decision for later, as we go through the course of efforts to vaccination. “

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