KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines as the reports say are going to launch COVID-tested flights from Amsterdam to Atlanta, starting December 15.
The Dutch government, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport all came together to comprehensive the new COVID-19 testing program and to see whether this program allows eligible travelers to be excused from 10-day quarantine after receiving a negative PCR test result upon landing in the Atlanta or Amsterdam.
The COVID-tested flights will at first, run for three weeks but they can expand to other markets should they prove their program successful. The flights will operate four times per week and each carrier will operate two frequencies.
To qualify the flights, as COVID-testing flights, passengers will have to take a PCR test five days before arriving in Amsterdam, then take a rapid antigen test before boarding in Atlanta and once again take another PCR test upon arrival in Amsterdam. When Travelers have purchased their tickets online then they can select the new COVID-tested flights.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines President and CEO Pieter Elbers stated in an interview that “This is a very important and great step forward. Until an approved working vaccine is available worldwide, this testing program represents the first step towards the international travel industry’s recovery. I am appreciative of the constructive collaboration with our partners in Atlanta and the Schiphol Group and have to add that the support of the Dutch government has made this unique COVID-free travel corridor trial possible.”
On the other continent, Steve Sear, Delta President, International, and Executive Vice President mentioned that “Creating COVID-free travel corridors, in addition to the multiple layers of safety and hygiene measures we have implemented through the Delta CareStandard, will provide customers and authorities greater confidence that they can stay healthy when flying.”