Emirates has partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to become one of the first airlines in the world to trial the IATA Travel Pass, a mobile app to help passengers travel in line with any government requirements for Covid-19 testing or vaccine information.
The pass will enable Emirates passengers to create a digital passport to verify that any pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of their destination. They will also be able to share test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel. The app will also enable travelers to manage all travel documentation digitally.
Prior to a full roll-out, Emirates will implement a trial in Dubai for the validation of Covid-19 PCR tests before departure. In this initial phase, expected to begin in April, Emirates customers traveling 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’ COO, commented, “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. 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.”
Within the IATA Travel Pass app, an integrated registry of travel requirements will also help passengers to find accurate information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of where they are traveling from. It will also include a registry of testing and eventually vaccination centers, making it more convenient for passengers to find testing centers and labs at their departure location that meet the standards for testing and vaccination requirements of their destination.
The platform will also enable authorized labs and test centers 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 among all stakeholders to provide a seamless passenger experience.