Ethiopian Airlines launches COVID-19 testing lab at Addis Ababa Airport

Ethiopian Airlines launches COVID-19 testing lab at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Ethiopian Airlines launches COVID-19 testing lab at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
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Written by Harry Johnson

Ethiopian announces launch of Chinese-operated COVID-19 Huo Yan Air Lab at its main hub

  • Ethiopian opens high-end COVID-19 testing lab at its main hub
  • State-of-the-art COVID-19 testing lab is equipped with cutting-edge technologies
  • The lab has a capacity to carry out 1,000 COVID-19 tests a day

Ethiopian Airlines Group announced that it has joined hands with BGI Health Ethiopia, a subsidiary of Chinaโ€™s biotech giant, the BGI Genomics Co., Ltd, to launch high-end COVID-19 testing laboratory at its main hub and the continentโ€™s busiest airport, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The testing center is opened to revitalize the passengersโ€™ business by creating seamless travel experience that includes COVID-19 testing to passengers that are departing or transiting via Addis Ababa.

The state-of-the-art COVID-19 testing lab is equipped with cutting-edge technologies to provide quick and accurate testing for passengers. Currently, the lab has a capacity to carry out 1,000 COVID-19 tests a day with a potential to grow further after expansion.

Regular test results can be obtained within three hours, leading to a convenient travel arrangement by reducing waiting time for testing and result collection.

Ethiopian Airports CEO Mr. Eskinder Alemu saidย โ€œWe introduced the testing lab inside our hub at Addis Ababa with a view to address our customersโ€™ challenges in travel and revive the passenger service. Originating or transit passengers will no longer have to look for testing centers in the city and wait in lines for COVID- 19 testing. The lab at the airport eliminates the hassle for testing and brings convenience and helps restore passengersโ€™ confidence in travel. The facility is the outcome of the excellent partnership between Ethiopiaโ€™s flag carrier and the BGI Health Ethiopia towards ensuring the safety of passengers in line with all international requirements. We will continue to adapt our operations to the new normal so as to ensure customersโ€™ safe travel with Ethiopian.โ€œ

Further to significantly reducing the time and energy spent for testing, the launch of the testing center at the airport will elevate Ethiopian customer service and consolidate the airlinesโ€™ safety measures at the airport and onboard. Timeliness of COVID 19 test results has been an issue of concern for passengers who wish to transit or extend their stay in Ethiopia and the provision of testing at the airport simplifies customers journey with Ethiopian. The laboratory -performs RT-PCR and IgM antibody tests for COVID-19 to departing, arriving and transit passengers with high level of efficiency in delivering the results. As a result, Ethiopian hopes to see a revival of passenger traffic following the move.

About the author

Avatar of Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson has been the assignment editor for eTurboNews for mroe than 20 years. He lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is originally from Europe. He enjoys writing and covering the news.

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