Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this week said it is now offering rapid antigen COVID-19 tests with results in 30 minutes in addition to the rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests with results in as little as 3-5 hours already available through the airport’s on-site laboratory.
The new nasal-swab antigen tests, which are available only at the LAX Terminal 6 lab location, cost $80 and have results available in just 30-60 minutes. PCR tests remain $125 each. The lab initially will have the capacity to process up to 200 antigen tests per day, in addition to 1,000 PCR tests per day, so appointments are highly recommended for all test options, airport officials said.
“With more than 22,000 tests administered since we opened our initial solution in November, it is clear there is a strong demand for fast and accurate COVID-19 testing at LAX,” said Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), operators of LAX. “Los Angeles World Airports is excited to announce our newest testing option, a rapid antigen test, which, along with our rapid and 24-hour turnaround PCR tests, will provide travelers and airport employees quality, fast and affordable testing options to help facilitate essential work and travel.”
The airport said PCR tests are required to enter certain destinations or skip quarantine periods upon arrival but added antigen tests may be accepted by some airlines and destinations. Customers are responsible for knowing the type of test results needed for their destination, it added.
