Gatwick Airport to cut Covid test cost as price ‘puts people off flying’

Gatwick Airport plans to cut the cost of its Covid-19 tests and say the added expense is putting people off flying.

Travel Weekly reported the price of PCR tests are being cut by £10 to £59 and the cost of lateral flow tests will go down by £2 to £33.

The airport is also subsidising the cost of its on-site Covid screening centre.

Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick airport recognises that the cost of PCR tests is prohibitive and acts as barrier preventing larger numbers from booking international travel.

“We are therefore pleased to be able to offer passengers a more cost-effective solution, conveniently located at the airport, to help people get away on a much-needed holiday, to visit loved ones abroad or travel for business.”

It comes as an overhaul of the rules for international travel is expected to be announced on Friday.

It has been reported the green and amber lists will be merged to form one category of low-risk countries while the number of destinations on the red list will be reduced.

There is also speculation fully vaccinated arrivals will no longer need to take a pre-departure lateral flow test or a post-arrival PCR test saving travellers around £100 per trip.

Currently, travellers who have not had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine must take one PCR test and are not required to self-isolate after arriving from a green list destination.

Travellers could be required to quarantine at home and be required to take two tests when arriving from a low-risk location under the new system, according to reports.

The changes would come into force ahead of the October half-term break.

Read More

Man accused of driving at almost 200mph on motorway faces trial

Holidaymakers await travel review as ‘dozens’ of countries could fall off red list

Flood warning for England issued ahead of torrential rain