International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Willie Walsh has waded in regarding the high cost of PCR testing which BTN highlighted last week.
(See www.btnews.co.uk/article/17903)

Whilst not initially calling the British Government to task, in a statement he makes it very obvious who his target is.  

According to IATA’s most recent traveller survey, 86% of respondents are willing to get tested. But 70% also believe that the cost of testing is a significant barrier to travel, while 78% believe governments should bear the cost of mandatory testing.

“IATA supports Covid-19 testing as a pathway to reopen borders to international travel. But our support is not unconditional. In addition to being reliable, testing needs to be easily accessible, affordable, and appropriate to the risk level. Too many governments, however, are falling short on some or all of these. The cost of testing varies widely between jurisdictions, with little relation to the actual cost of conducting the test. The UK is the poster child for governments failing to adequately manage testing. At best it is expensive, at worst extortionate. And in either case, it is a scandal that the Government is charging VAT,” said Willie Walsh.

The real question is “which test to take?”.  In the cruise industry some companies are happy with the quick and cheap lateral test, whilst others insist on PCR.  In defence of the British Government the lateral test is available free from the NHS and can be undertaken at home.

www.iata.org