Delta Air Lines, Aeroporti di Roma and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have joined in a first-of-its-kind transatlantic COVID-19 testing programme that will enable quarantine-free entry into Italy, in accordance with a decree expected to be issued soon by the government of Italy.
Starting from 19 December, Delta’s dedicated trial will test customers and crew on newly relaunched flights from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Rome-Fiumicino International Airport.
Delta says that the tests will exempt from quarantine on arrival in Italy all U.S. citizens permitted to travel to Italy for essential reasons, such as for work, health and education, as well as all European Union and Italian citizens.
To fly on Delta’s COVID-tested flights between Atlanta and Rome, customers will need to test negative for COVID-19 through:
- A COVID Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken up to 72 hours before departure
- A rapid test administered at the airport in Atlanta before boarding
- A rapid test on arrival in Rome-Fiumicino
- A rapid test at Rome-Fiumicino before departure to the United States
Customers will be required to provide information upon entry into the U.S. to support CDC contact-tracing protocols.
“Carefully designed COVID-19 testing protocols are the best path for resuming international travel safely and without quarantine until vaccinations are widely in place,” said Steve Sear, International and Executive Vice President – Global Sales, Delta Air Lines. “Safety is our core promise – it’s at the centre of this pioneering testing effort and it’s the foundation of our standards for cleanliness and hygiene to help customers feel confident when they fly Delta.”
Earlier this year, Aeroporti di Roma implemented a successful intra-Italy COVID-tested flight trial with Delta’s Italian codeshare partner Alitalia.
