Emirates to trial world’s first digital Covid Travel Pass

Emirates has partnered with international airline body IATA to become one of the first airlines in the world to trial a digital Covid Travel Pass.

Passengers can use the mobile app to check that their pre-travel Covid test or vaccination meets the requirement of their destination.

They will also be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines before they travel.

Emirates will implement phase one in Dubai for the validation of Covid-19 PCR tests before departure.

In this initial phase, expected to begin in April, Emirates passengers 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.

Chief Operating Officer Adel Al Redha said: “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.

"We are proud to be one of the first airlines in the world to pilot this initiative, which will provide an enhanced customer experience and conveniently facilitate our customers’ travel needs.”

IATA said the airline will provide ‘invaluable’ input and feedback during the trial to improve the Travel Pass programme. Senior VP Nick Careen 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.”

Passengers will be able to use the Travel Pass to find accurate information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of where they are travelling from, said IATA.

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.

The platform will also enable authorized labs and test centres to securely send test results or vaccination certificates to passengers.

The global registry, managed by IATA, will manage and allow the secure flow of necessary information amongst all stakeholders and to provide a seamless passenger experience, it added.

By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)

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