Finnair announced yesterday that it has partnered with Finnish private healthcare service company Tervestalo to offer its passengers fast and easy access to pre-travel COVID-19 tests. The service aims to give customers peace of mind when traveling to countries requiring a negative test result from passengers arriving in the country. Finnair will launch the scheme on September 28.

Finnair coronavirus tests give customers peace of mind

In a press release issued on Friday, Finnair announced its partnership with Terveystalo, which is aimed at giving its passengers peace of mind when flying to countries with strict entry requirements. Some countries require arriving travelers to provide a certified negative COVID-19 test result.

By teaming up with Terveystalo, Finnair’s customers get fast and easy access to pre-travel coronavirus testing. The service ensures that passengers get the test certificate required at their destination conveniently and promptly.

Finnair’s Chief Operations Officer, Jaakko Schildt, said,

“Safety and enabling smooth traveling are extremely important for us. Unfortunately, travelers face more and more requirements these days. Through our partnership with Terveystalo, we want to make traveling easier for our customers to countries that require a coronavirus test certificate.”

Finnair passengers will get a 10% discount from the normal price of a Terveystalo PCR test. Finnair Plus, Platinum Lumo, Platinum, or Gold members, receive an increased discount of 15%. Furthermore, customers can use their Finnair Plus points to pay for the test.

Finnair check-in desk
Coronavirus testing will give passengers peace of mind. Photo: Finnair

COVID-19 PCR testing

Terveystalo uses the PCR test from the nose and throat that meets the required international quality standards. It is the most accepted coronavirus testing method around the world.

Different countries have varying requirements for coronavirus testing and related documents. The specialists at Terveystalo will discuss these requirements with the customer, who will be provided with an adequate test and a certificate that fulfills the requirements valid at the destination country at the time.

Visitors to Finland and Finnish nationals returning home from a high-risk country can also choose a test-only option after arrival, reducing the 14-day quarantine period. They will receive the result through the Oma Terveys service immediately after it is ready.

Terveystalo’s Director of Business Development, Corporate Health, Karita Reijonsaari, said,

“As travel restrictions are lifted, it is important to enable traveling with peace of mind. Although interaction through digital channels is a good option for many situations, face-to-face encounters are still needed for both work and leisure. At Terveystalo, we also want to support businesses and offer solutions for work travelers.”

Finnair, September Schedule, COVID-19 Recovery
Finnair received IATA's certification for handling of pharmaceutical goods five years ago. Photo: Getty Images

Finnair operates a significantly reduced schedule

Before the coronavirus crisis hit the aviation industry, Finnair operated around 350 flights a day from its Helsinki hub to destinations throughout Europe, America, and Asia. As the pandemic bit deep, the airline’s operations were hugely reduced. It has only managed to increase flights to 78-80 a day.

In August, as demand for air travel dropped again, Finnair said its flights in September would only be 30% of those conducted in the same month last year. The airline had optimistically planned to be operating at least 200 daily flights by October, but the slump in demand has forced it to cut that proposed schedule in half. Hopefully, the coronavirus testing service will help to boost customer confidence.

Would access to a COVID-19 test give you more confidence to fly? Let us know in the comments.