Airport provides coronavirus tests before holiday flights

Ahead of an uptick in holiday travel expected during California’s worst coronavirus surge to date, Mineta San José International Airport announced Friday that it has launched a new coronavirus testing site for travelers departing on select airlines.

The airport’s new drivethru coronavirus testing program is available only by appointment for travelers flying on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Appointments will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

But by next week, Carbon Health, the health care company that is providing testing for Alaska Airlines, has plans to offer tests to passengers flying on any airline.

Health officials in Santa Clara County and across the state are urging Californians to avoid travel and stay home for the holidays.

“W hile we look forward to the return of the record-breaking traffic we experienced just last year, we are committed to getting there safely,” John Aitken, director of aviation at Mineta San José International Airport, said in a statement.

Under the airport’s new testing program, Alaska Airlines passengers must show their flight itinerary and pay $170 for a test. Passengers can expect their results by 2 p.m. the day after they take the test, according to Carbon Health.

For Hawaiian Airlines passengers, WorkSite Labs is offering tests for those flying to Hawaii for $90. The test must be scheduled within 72 hours of the departure of the last leg of a journey — a requirement put in place to meet Hawaii’s pretravel testing program mandates.

The drive-thru testing site for both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines passengers has been set up in the Airport’s Taxi Staging Area at 2470 Airport Blvd. in San Jose.