NetJets to Test Pilots for COVID-19

As the economy tentatively reopens, companies in all industries are exploring ways to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure for their employees and customers. Medical experts agree one key to containing the pandemic is widespread viral and antibody testing.

NetJets recently announced partnerships with Quest Diagnostics and Cellex, a medical diagnostics company based in North Carolina, to provide COVID-19 antibody testing to all employees.

NetJets flew four Global 6000s to Shanghai, China, to pick up half a million COVID-19 antibody tests produced by Cellex. These tests, which are currently are being administered to frontline healthcare workers and first responders, will be available to all NetJets employees.

The Cellex Rapid Test was approved under the public health emergency guidance issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The test determines if antibodies produced to fight coronavirus infections are present, indicating the individual has been exposed to the virus at some point.

NetJets and its pilots’ union, the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), will ensure pilots can be tested for the COVID-19 virus at no personal cost through a partnership with Quest Diagnostics.

“We are committed to testing 100% of our crewmembers initially and offering ongoing testing to anyone who travels to high-risk locations, has been exposed to COVID-19 or becomes symptomatic,” said Peter Gallagher, president of NetJets sales, marketing and service.

This testing undoubtedly comes at significant expensive to NetJets. However, the company believes the expense is worthwhile, as the economy begins to reopen and employees prepare to return to work.

“NetJets’ investment in the safety of our employees and our owners is unrivaled in our industry, and, even at a time of unprecedented financial strain on our industry, we will continue to take the steps necessary to support these critical safety measures,” Gallagher concluded.

The new testing protocol is just one part of NetJets’ COVID-19 response plan. The company will also require crewmembers to wear masks while interacting with passengers, implement aircraft quarantine and disinfection procedures for aircraft returning from regions identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control as high risk, and treat aircraft interiors with ClearCabin, an antimicrobial barrier. NetJets also has implemented pre-flight screening to evaluate passengers’ potential exposure.

From NBAA