British Airways, American Airlines and oneworld have teamed up with researchers at the University of Oxford and the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) for the review and analysis of the carriers’ Covid-19 testing data.
The airlines are among those working with Heathrow airport on a recently-launched trial to gather “real-time” data to help pave the way for pre-departure testing to be accepted as proof that passengers are safe to travel.
The Oxford analysis project, Trust, Testing and Travel, Technology Use, Traveller Knowledge and Compliance with Covid-19 Health Rules, involves researchers analysing aggregated, non-personal survey data from air travellers on their behaviour and sentiment towards the trial testing regime.
The airlines have created a taskforce to evaluate the results of the trial, comprising oneworld member representatives and independent medical experts who will work with Oxford Internet Institute to consider the results and implications of the data.
Professor Phil Howard, director of the Oxford Internet Institute, said: “The University of Oxford is already playing a leading role in the fight against Covid-19 with development of a vaccine. I’m delighted that researchers at the OII will be working to analyse and review survey data from this important trial so that we understand more about the options available for safer air travel.”
In a joint statement, American Airlines, British Airways and oneworld said: “We are pleased to be working with one of the world’s leading academic institutions to review the results of our testing trial passenger survey, which we hope will help provide governments on both sides of the Atlantic with the evidence they need to unlock travel and kick-start the global economy. Moving away from quarantines in favour of comprehensive testing programmes has the potential to markedly boost customer confidence in air travel.”
Since the trial began on November 25, more than 500 customers have registered to take part on select flights operated by American Airlines and British Airways, from the United States to Heathrow. The airlines said “many” customers have expressed interest in having the testing trials expanded to more routes.
As a result, the trial has been expanded to include British Airways’ flights from Miami and New York JFK to Heathrow, meaning five flights a day across four gateways are now included in the trial.