Lufthansa Trials Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Tests

To investigate the usefulness of rapid tests, Lufthansa will test all passengers on two flights a day between Munich and Hamburg from the 12th of November. Anyone who does not want to participate will be rebooked to an alternative flight free of charge.

These so-called rapid antigen tests provide a result within 30 to 60 minutes, which means passengers have to get to the airport a little earlier than usual. Lufthansa will reimburse all costs. Anyone with a negative PCR test result, less than 48 hours old, may skip the rapid test.

The first test flight with 100 percent negative passengers is LH2058, which departs from Munich to Hamburg on Thursday at 9.10 am. The second daily flight on which all passengers are tested is LH2059 from Hamburg to Munich.

The aviation sector hopes to restart air traffic in a safe way by massively testing passengers. The idea is that travel restrictions such as a 10 – or 14-day quarantine obligation at the destination are then no longer necessary.

“With our test strategy, we are pursuing the goal of using the data obtained to gain important insights into the use of rapid tests. Successful testing of entire flights can be the key to revitalizing international air traffic.”

Christina Foerster, Lufthansa Group Executive Board Member for Customer, IT & Corporate Responsibility