KHALEEJ TIMES, Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021 | Jamadi Al Thani 6, 1442
Emirates to trial special Covid-19 travel pass
Emirates:
Emirates has partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
to become one of the first airlines in the world to trial IATA Travel Pass –
a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in
line with any government requirements for Covid-19 testing or vaccine
information.
IATA Travel Pass enables Emirates passengers to create a 'digital passport' to
verify their pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of the
destination. They will also be able to share the test and vaccination
certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel. The new app
will also enable travellers to manage all travel documentation digitally and
seamlessly throughout the travel experience.
Prior to a full roll out, Emirates will implement phase 1 in Dubai for the
validation of Covid-19 PCR tests before departure. In this initial phase,
expected to begin in April, Emirates customers travelling from Dubai will be
able to share their Covid-19 test status directly with the airline even before
reaching the airport through the app, which will then auto-populate the details
on the check-in system.
Adel Al Redha Emirates' Chief Operating Officer said: "While international
travel remains as safe as ever, there are new protocols and travel requirements
with the current global pandemic. We have worked with IATA on this innovative
solution to simplify and digitally transmit the information that is required by
countries and governments into our airline systems, in a secure and efficient
manner."
Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and
Security said: "This is the first step in making international travel during the
pandemic as convenient as possible giving people the confidence that they are
meeting all Covid-19 entry requirements by governments. As borders re-open, IATA
Travel Pass will be further enhanced with more capabilities to meet all
governments testing or vaccination verification requirements and Emirates
customers will be among the first to have these services."
Within the IATA Travel Pass app, the integrated registry of travel requirements
will also enable passengers to find accurate information on travel and entry
requirements for all destinations regardless of where they are travelling from.
It will also include a registry of testing and eventually vaccination centres –
making it more convenient for passengers to find testing centres and labs at
their departure location which meet the standards for testing and vaccination
requirements of their destination.
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