Virgin Atlantic first UK airline to begin IATA Travel Pass trials

Thursday, 25 Apr, 2021 0

Virgin Atlantic has begun the first live trials of the IATA Travel Pass on its London Heathrow to Barbados route.

It marks a first by a UK airline.

Passengers are invited to participate on a voluntary basis for the one-month trial of the IATA Travel Pass, which allows them to verify that they meet the health criteria needed to travel between certain countries, locate labs and present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test.

The trial is being run in close collaboration with the Government of Barbados.

"We have to embrace technology that not only deals with the integration of travel and public health priorities but we also have to transform the entire travel experience and our airport experiences," said Senator Lisa Cummins, Barbados Minister of Tourism.

Future updates of the app will also incorporate vaccine records.

The app creates a digital ID, which is linked to passport and flight details, and customers are then able to add their negative PCR test results for Barbados, taken at a participating lab within three days of departure.

Digital health passes can aid in streamlining the customer journey by reducing check in times and speed up border checks.

Virgin Atlantic wants more governments around the world, including in the UK, to accept digital solutions at the border.

"When international travel restarts at scale; rapid, affordable testing and effective digital proof of Covid-19 credentials based on global common standards will make journeys easier and provide greater confidence to book," said Corneel Koster, Chief Customer & Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic.

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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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