Some Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir passengers can now avail of pre-departure COVID-19 testing with the launch of a new one-stop service from today.
The service allows passengers to book their pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology tests, and receive their results on one online portal, SIA said in a press release. The service is currently available to SIA and SilkAir passengers departing from Singapore, Jakarta and Medan.
There are plans to expand the service to more cities in the airlines' network over the next few months if the pilot is successful, said SIA.
"By housing all necessary pre-departure information on one platform, our passengers can enjoy a much more streamlined booking experience with Singapore Airlines," said JoAnn Tan, SIA's senior vice-president for marketing planning.
With the new service, passengers can book appointments for their tests with their preferred clinic from the list of recognised testing facilities on the portal. They can book appointments up to 48 hours before their required testing window.
Passengers will receive their test results within 36 hours through the same portal, which they can then present upon check-in at the airport.
The test results come with a QR code that enables airport check-in staff and Singapore immigration authorities to verify the results under SIA's new digital health verification process. The portal will also be able to house digital health passes documenting passengers' COVID-19 status, said SIA.
The airline is partnering Collinson, a London-based company providing travel experience solutions, for the online portal.
"COVID-19 has brought challenges for businesses and individuals alike around the world, and while there's optimism that the rollout of vaccines will help to bring an end to the pandemic, there remains a complex road ahead," said Todd Hancock, Collinson's president for Asia-Pacific.
Except for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, travellers entering Singapore from high-risk countries are now required to take a PCR test within 72 hours before their departure.
The majority of outbound routes from Singapore also require a negative result from a PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure, according to the online portal.
