IATA merges UK and EU COVID-19 certificates into its Travel Pass

Monday, August 23, 2021

IATA or The International Air Transport Association recently announced that the EU Digital Covid-19 Certificate (DCC) and UK NHS Covid-19 Pass can now be uploaded into IATA Travel Pass.

Both will now act as verified proof of vaccination for travel. Travellers holding an EU DCC or UK NHS Covid Pass can now access accurate Covid-19 travel information for their journey, create an electronic version of their passport and import their vaccination certificate in one place.

This information can be shared with airlines and border control authorities who can have the assurance that the certificate presented to them is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it. IATA mentioned that the Harmonisation of digital vaccine standards is essential to support the safe and scalable restart of aviation, avoid unnecessary airport queues and ensure a smooth passenger experience.

The body said it welcomes the work done by the EU Commission in developing, in record time, the EU DCC system and thereby standardising digital vaccine certificates across Europe. Building on the EU DCC success, IATA urges the World Health Organisation (WHO) to revisit its work to develop a global digital vaccine standard.

Nick Careen, Senior Vice President for Operations Safety and Security, IATA said in a statement that Covid-19 vaccination certificates are becoming a widespread requirement for international travel. He mentioned that handling the European and UK certificates through IATA Travel Pass is an important step forward, providing convenience for travellers, authenticity for governments and efficiency for airlines. 

He also mentioned that the absence of a global standard makes it much harder for airlines, border authorities and governments to recognise and verify a traveller’s digital vaccination certificate. He shared that the industry is working by developing solutions that can recognise and verify certificates from individual countries.

However, it is a slow process that is hampering the restart of international travel. He further added that as more states roll out their vaccination programs, many are urgently looking to implement technical solutions to provide vaccine certification for their citizens when they travel. He mentioned that in the absence of a WHO standard, IATA is urging to look closely at the EU DCC as a proven solution that meets WHO guidance and can help to reconnect the world.

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