BA testing ‘world first’ 25-second Covid-19 test
British Airways is conducting trials of a new Covid test which it says is the first to offer a result within 25 seconds.
It teamed up with medical tech company Canary Global, to assess how its Pelican Covid-19 Ultra Rapid Covid-19 test, which displays a result within 25 seconds, can play a role in opening up travel.
The airline’s flight and cabin crew will take the Pelican Covid-19 test and will compare the performance of the result against existing tests that they are already taking.
Recently approved for use in Europe and the UK, the test is currently going through U.S. FDA approval and the airline is the first in the world to trial the new technology.
The test is a non-invasive saliva ultra-rapid digital antigen test that delivers 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2.
Users take a sample of their saliva into a disposable sensor unit, shake and insert it into a re-usable digital reader which is connected to a blue-tooth enabled device like a smartphone, and then wait for the results that appear through a mobile app.
The test which probes for both the S and N SARS-Cov-2 protein, is optimized to detect variants that have originated across the globe.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: "As we start to see the opening up of travel we remain committed to exploring easy and affordable testing solutions to help our customers travel again."
Canary Global is in discussions with other travel, hospitality and event organisers to help them safely open up with the Pelican ultra-rapid Covid-19 test.
The test could also be used to help safely open up other business and schools.
The company is currently ramping up production to meet the expected global demand.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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