CEOs of major U.S. airlines, along with airline pilot unions and lobbying groups, are speaking out against a COVID-19 testing requirement for domestic travel.</>During a recent interview with the Associated Press, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian predicted domestic travel “would be substantially reduced” if all travelers are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before flying in the United States. “We don’t have the facility or the technology or capabilities to be administering or monitoring domestic testing,” Bastian said.
Gary Kelly, the CEO of Southwest Airlines, stated, “We believe such a mandate would be counterproductive, costly, and have serious unintended consequences, including for millions of people who have travel needs but may not have access to testing resources and for the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on a stable air travel industry.”
The Allied Pilots Association, which represents American Airlines pilots, and Airlines for America, a Washington, D.C. -based airline lobbying group, also raised concerns about a possible domestic travel testing requirement.