Travel industry, airlines urge end to COVID testing to enter U.S.

Passengers line up for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at an open clinic at the Tom Bradley International Terminal on December 22, 2021, at Los Angeles International Airport, California, USA. REUTERS/Bing Guan

WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - Major U.S. airlines, business and travel groups and other companies called on the White House on Thursday to lift pre-flight COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated international passengers traveling to the United States.

“Given the slow economic recovery of the business and international travel sector, as well as progress in treatment and improving public health in the United States, we urge you to immediately eliminate the need for testing incoming for vaccinated air travelers," it said. Letters. American Airlines (AAL.O) , Carnival Corp (CCL.N) , Marriott International (MAR.O) , Walt Disney Coss (DIS.N) , Disney Parks, US Chamber of Commerce, US Travel Association and others.

Airline executives say many Americans are not traveling overseas because they fear testing positive and being shut down overseas.

In a letter to White House coronavirus coordinator Ashish Jha, he said international travel spending had fallen 78% from 2019 levels, adding that "the economic costs associated with sustaining the event are important".

The letter noted that many foreign governments had "the same rate of infection, vaccination and hospitalization, including

The UK, Germany and Canada have waived the requirement for pre-departure testing for vaccinated travellers.

The letter noted that the Biden administration does not require a negative test to enter land ports, including Canada and Mexico, only for air travelers.

The White House did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

On April 18, a federal judge ruled the 14-month transportation mask mandate illegal, and the Biden administration quickly stopped enforcing the rules for transit hubs, such as airplanes and airports.

In December, the Biden administration introduced tough new rules requiring international airlines arriving in the United States to test negative for COVID-19 within the day of travel.

Under the previous rule, vaccinated international travelers could submit negative test results within three days of departure.

Interview with David Shepardson, edited by Franklin Paul and Margurita Choy

Our Values: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.