Fragmented EU Digital Certificate checks could undermine air travel recovery

Monday, 01 Jul, 2021 0

As the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) officially comes into force EU-wide, airlines warn of inevitable disruption due to an inconsistent approach by member states.

In a letter sent yesterday to EU Heads of State, the industry urged leaders to harmonise DCC verification standards and protocols, to avoid unnecessary airport queues.

Airlines for Europe says there are no less than 10 different national approaches and solutions are currently under review across the EU.

Combined with a lack of full and effective integration of the DCC in the passenger journey, as well as duplication of document checks, it says average check-in processing times have increased.

It threatens the success of this summer’s air travel restart, A4E says.

"We need member states to urgently implement these tools in a harmonised and effective manner. We view these as essential prerequisites to travel, to avoid long passenger queues and waiting times," the letter said.

Airlines and airports urge all member states to develop a state portal to facilitate DCC verification and make sure that the remaining DCC verification taking place at airports for holders of paper DCCs can be conducted using one single verifier app.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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