Fit to fly 'scam'?

prt20

Hi all, 

We are traveling to Italy next week and the Official Italian government guidelines clearly state that they accept both Antigen ( lateral flow ) or Molecular ( PCR ) tests for entry. However looking around the plethora of private rapid testing centres they are pushing the need to get 'fit to fly' certificate as well as the test. On asking they seem to push this onto the flight operator and not the country, stating ' your airline may require the fit to fly certificate', although after speaking to ryanair customer service they said they only require what the destination country requires. 

All very confusing and ripe for these testing center's to pressure customers and scare them into paying for additional documentation that isnt needed.

Has any one else experienced this, or am I wrong and we do need an additional fit to fly certificate???

Thanks

eskbanker

prt20 said:

looking around the plethora of private rapid testing centres they are pushing the need to get 'fit to fly' certificate as well as the test. On asking they seem to push this onto the flight operator and not the country, stating ' your airline may require the fit to fly certificate', although after speaking to ryanair customer service they said they only require what the destination country requires.

Not seeing any 'scam' here - the entry requirements for destinations and the requirements prior to boarding a flight can, and often do, differ.  If you're confident that your airline doesn't impose additional criteria then that distinction is no longer relevant but providers of tests aren't going to take responsibility for checking that for you....

Pollycat

prt20 said:

Hi all, 

We are traveling to Italy next week and the Official Italian government guidelines clearly state that they accept both Antigen ( lateral flow ) or Molecular ( PCR ) tests for entry. However looking around the plethora of private rapid testing centres they are pushing the need to get 'fit to fly' certificate as well as the test. On asking they seem to push this onto the flight operator and not the country, stating ' your airline may require the fit to fly certificate', although after speaking to ryanair customer service they said they only require what the destination country requires. 

All very confusing and ripe for these testing center's to pressure customers and scare them into paying for additional documentation that isnt needed.

Has any one else experienced this, or am I wrong and we do need an additional fit to fly certificate???

Thanks

I can't see a scam either.

The bit in bold seems a fairly sensible comment.

Even though Ryanair only require what the destination country requires other airlines may have their own rules.

Not going to comment on the last question as I think the best thing for everyone is to do their own research - using the official sources (i.e. departure country, destination country, return country and airline) - to determine what rules and requirements they need to follow and fulfill.

Brie

The worry for me would be what if Ryanair or Italy change their minds about what is necessary between now and when you leave?  Or the UK for your return?

michael1234

I agree with the original poster. The hugely complex framework of what is required and when encourages people to spend more than they need on tests they don't need.

There are only a handful of airlines covering the vast majority of routes. The other answers imply that some of them impose their own testing requirements in addition to the rules in the destination country. Are there any examples of that ? I don't think there are....

Conversely Ryanair themselves require facemasks regardless  of rules in the destination country (e.g. UK) but whilst a covid requirement it isn't an additional testing requirement,

Thrugelmir

michael1234 said:

Conversely Ryanair themselves require facemasks regardless  of rules in the destination country (e.g. UK) 

What's the relevance of the destination country to Ryanair's internal decision to madate the wearing of facemasks?  

Pollycat

michael1234 said:

I agree with the original poster. The hugely complex framework of what is required and when encourages people to spend more than they need on tests they don't need.

There are only a handful of airlines covering the vast majority of routes. The other answers imply that some of them impose their own testing requirements in addition to the rules in the destination country. Are there any examples of that ? I don't think there are....

Conversely Ryanair themselves require facemasks regardless  of rules in the destination country (e.g. UK) but whilst a covid requirement it isn't an additional testing requirement,

To me, it's a similar situation to immigration rules.

The responsibility with that sits squarely with the traveller.

As should ensuring you have the appropriate covid tests and documentation.

My answer doesn't imply anything.

Other than I do not see this as a scam.

Sandtree

I think you are mistaking what a "fit to fly certificate" is...  I can sell you a antigen test that you do at home and within a couple of minutes you have a result but then after another 30 minute the result is then invalid. You cannot rock up to check in and say yeah I did at test at home and it was fine and then expect them to take your word for it. Hence you need a test that comes with a certificate to say what the results were... if you look at the UK government website it specifies certain items that must be on the certificate and the three languages they accept certificates in.

michael1234

Sandtree said:

I think you are mistaking what a "fit to fly certificate" is...  I can sell you a antigen test that you do at home and within a couple of minutes you have a result but then after another 30 minute the result is then invalid. You cannot rock up to check in and say yeah I did at test at home and it was fine and then expect them to take your word for it. Hence you need a test that comes with a certificate to say what the results were... if you look at the UK government website it specifies certain items that must be on the certificate and the three languages they accept certificates in.

Bare in mind there are LF tests that are sold to do at home but then a certificate is issued "proving" you did it. I've done one like that in the past - I needed to upload a photo of their test kit, serial number and my details. Then they provided the cert.

prt20

Ok so perhaps the use of the word 'scam' is a little too much which folks seem to be focusing on. 

What I meant to convey is I just felt like there's a huge potential for people to be mis-sold or pressure sold additional services that are not needed. 

No where does it state that a 'fit to fly' certificate is needed on Ryanair or Italian government sites (other countries may be different) . Only a proof of test is required from an external party other than yourself (hence no test at home kits) 

@samdtree actually a fit to fly certificate is old wording used to qualify whether someone with an illness is allowed to fly by medical staff such as late stage pregnancy etc, this was around before covid, and to me is now being used to upsell additional services. 

Frankly. In general it's all just very confusing! 

Pollycat

prt20 said:

Ok so perhaps the use of the word 'scam' is a little too much which folks seem to be focusing on. 

What I meant to convey is I just felt like there's a huge potential for people to be mis-sold or pressure sold additional services that are not needed. 

No where does it state that a 'fit to fly' certificate is needed on Ryanair or Italian government sites (other countries may be different) . Only a proof of test is required from an external party other than yourself (hence no test at home kits) 

@samdtree actually a fit to fly certificate is old wording used to qualify whether someone with an illness is allowed to fly by medical staff such as late stage pregnancy etc, this was around before covid, and to me is now being used to upsell additional services. 

Frankly. In general it's all just very confusing! 

If that is what 'it' states, then you should not allow yourself to be talked into paying for more than you require.

 And FTR - on most public forums saying something is a scam, con or rip-off when it isn't tends to annoy people and shifts the focus of a complaint away from the real point.