Edinburgh Airport will be the location of a new rapid COVID-19 testing trial to understand the dynamics of an on-site airport testing programme which benefits staff members and air passengers. The trial will be run by the PocDoc and BioSure companies and will involve the use of the KnowNow saliva antigen test. Staff and volunteers will make up the cohort of participants, due to low passenger numbers at the airport owing to current air travel restrictions.

The trial will last one week and will shed light on such a testing effort being deployed in an airport environment. The test being utilised includes a digital aspect also, delivering a true ‘all-in’ solution. The PocDoc app is capable of storing test result information and issuing ‘fit-to-fly’ certificates to passengers in real-time. This will assure safer travel in the post-lockdown period as air travel numbers pick up again and international travel resumes. BioSure CEO & founder, Brigette Bard, commented: "Due to our unique expertise in self-testing over the past six years, BioSure fully understands the need for simple, accurate and cost-effective tests that can deliver real results in real time.”

Air travel industry leaders recognise that COVID-19 testing will become part of the sector’s future and understanding how to put testing processes in place in airports is of vital importance. “This trial with PocDoc and BioSure will provide some insight into rapid, efficient and affordable testing and we will study the findings before deciding our next steps”, said Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport.