Manchester Airport has announced plans to quadruple the number of testing centres on site, ahead of the restart of international travel.
MAG – which also owns, East Midlands and London Stansted airports – also confirmed Randox will join existing partner Collinson to operate the sites, which will be a combination of walk-through and drive-through testing centres.
Together, they will operate 11 sites across MAG’s three airports, offering passengers a range of tests for arrival and departure, including packages for amber/green list countries, plus Test to Release, which unlocks passengers from quarantine after a full five days.
Both providers will offer unique tests, including Randox’s rapid 1-3-hour PCR test and Collinson’s same day Test to Release offering. Currently PCR tests can take up to 48 hours, meaning passengers have to come to the airport ahead of their trip. However, with Randox’s rapid PCR test, with results available in just 1-3 hours, travellers can save time and do the test on the day of travel.
Collinson’s same-day Test to Release process uses a rapid LAMP test, meaning that passengers can get their results back on the same day and release from quarantine on day five* with a negative result. Other providers use PCR, meaning it can take up to day six or seven to get a result. These are just two of the services Randox and Collinson will provide across MAG’s airports, with more than a dozen tests and options available.
PCR test prices start from £60, a full list of tests on offer, costs, plus locations at each airport can be found below. Tests can be booked online now.
Karen Smart, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:
“We are pleased to be increasing our testing facilities at Manchester Airport, ahead of international travel re-starting in earnest.
“Our partnership with Collinson has proved to be successful since launching in December and we are delighted to be welcoming Randox on board.
“This new partnership means customers flying through our airports have a wide range of options to suit their circumstances.
“By offering both arrival and departure tests, as well as a choice of walk-through and drive-through test centres, passengers know they can select whatever it is they need to make their trip as stress-free as possible.
“We are looking forward to working with both partners and hope to get Britain flying again as soon as possible.
“Finally, I’d like to thank all of the staff and colleagues involved from all organisations, in delivering these new services.”
