Travel solutions provider, Matrix andCollinson, the global end-to-end travel experiences, airport services and travel medical company have announced a partnership to offer travellers in India a range of COVID-19 travel tests including polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Antigen (lateral flow), and serology tests, before their next journey. The Collinson-led and managed service will be available to Matrix customers to book their test-on-arrival into the UK and their pre-departure test from the UK- with special offer packages available for students. 

Now available, the partnership enables Matrix customers to seamlessly and securely book a COVID-19 test through Matrix’s wholly owned mobile app called X Factor. Customers can book their ‘test-on-arrival’ before travelling to the UK and their ‘pre-departure test’ from the UK through the app, which will then re-direct the customer to Collinson’s secure portal to request an appointment at a number of testing facilities at major UK airports, the O2 Arena and St Pancras train station. Upon completion of their test, customers will receive notification of their test results, which if negative, will enable them to enjoy their time in the UK without the need for quarantine (with regards to on-arrival testing) or travel to their intended destination (with regards to pre-departure testing).

Collinson, through its travel medical services, has become the UK’s leading airport testing provider, having spent the past 18 months working with more than 30 airlines, airports, health passport providers and other members of the travel ecosystem, as well as governments around the world to aide in the safe restart of travel.

The announcement follows on from recent Collinson research, conducted in partnership with CAPA (Centre for Aviation) which revealed that over half of respondents (54%) expect robust COVID-19 testing protocols will remain key to re-opening borders until the end of 2022, with a further 26% expecting this until the end of 2023. The research featured the opinions of a specially-selected group of over 400 C-Suite and senior managerial level travel experts globally.

Priyanka Lakhani, Commercial Director Middle East & Africa, and Director South Asia, Collinson, said, “Through our partnership with Matrix, we are pleased to provide an easily accessible COVID-19 travel testing solution – now an essential aspect of a customer’s journey in our new era of travel for Matrix customers heading to, or travelling outbound from, the UK. We continue to be committed to offering travellers the support they need to feel safe when taking to the skies, with the ambition of achieving the long-term recovery of global travel.”

Gagan Dugal, Founder of Matrix, added: “Over the years, we have evolved from a leading telecom solution provider to an integrated travel solutions company. This partnership with Collinson now makes us the first to offer this unique COVID-19 ‘on-arrival’ and ‘pre-departure’ travel testing solution to our customers in India. We are all aware of how stressful travelling can be, especially during the current times. We want to ensure every step is taken to provide an experience that is fulfilling our brand promise – easy and smart; and embodies the purpose that we stand for.”