London City airport has opened a coronavirus testing facility next to its terminal to boost on-site testing capacity.
The facility, located less than a minute’s walk from the terminal, can carry out more than 200 additional tests per hour and has been opened in partnership with government-approved testing provider Collinson.
As the airport announced the new facility, both London City and Collinson urged the government to trust worldwide testing systems and safely restart international travel this summer.
The airport reported the number of people requiring a test doubling in recent weeks.
Chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “We still believe there will be a summer getaway, and our investment in this new, larger testing facility is not only testament to that belief, but a demonstration of our commitment to making the London City passenger journey safe, straightforward, and as quick as possible.
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“I would urge the government to consider what airports and airlines are doing across the world to keep passengers safe and to look to the many countries across Europe where real progress is being made. We believe there is a strong case to expand the green list in line with the latest scientific data.”
Collinson’s joint chief executive, David Evans, said it was still the company’s goal to ensure passengers did not have to quarantine for lengthy periods after travelling internationally. It opened its first testing facility in the UK last year, at Heathrow.
Passengers travelling to green or amber list countries are currently required to take tests prior to departure and upon arrival back in the UK.
Those travelling to the UK from an amber list destination must take a test on day two and on or after day eight after returning, and those arriving from a green list destination must take a test after day two.
The facility also offers a same-day Test to Release service, enabling passengers travelling from amber list countries to leave their 10-day quarantine on day five.
Tests at the new centre are available to both passengers flying from London City and people looking for a London location to take their test, before flying from another airport.
Prices start from £33 for a Lateral Flow Antigen test, and £66 for PCR tests. Same day result tests are available from £68.