IATA to debut COVID Travel Pass soon

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently shared that it is expecting its digital COVID Travel Pass will be ready for use within forthcoming weeks.The pass which was originally unveiled in December is designed to verify a passenger has had the COVID-19 tests or vaccines required to enter a country. It also verifies they were administered by an approved authority.

The airline industry sees the pass as essential for reopening air travel, as many countries still have strict restrictions or quarantines in place. IATA said the Travel Pass, which it is preparing alongside Etihad and a number of other carriers – is designed in a modular way, so that it can work with other digital solutions that are being trialled around the world. It also said that the Travel Pass will be available on iOS and Android platforms, and is expected to be free to passengers.

Nick Careen, Senior Vice President, Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, IATA mentioned that the Travel Pass s being made with aim to help reconnect the world safely. It stated that IATA has brought advancements in global standards like e-ticketing and mobile boarding passes to consumers in all parts of the world and mentioned that the unique capability demonstrates that it can work with industry and governments to re-shape travel processes based on global standards.

Vinoop Goel, Regional Director of Airports and External Relations, IATA added that the key issue is one of confidence and shared that passengers need to be confident that the testing they have taken is accurate and will allow them to enter the country. He also mentioned that even governments need to have the confidence that the tests that the passengers claim to have are accurate and meets their own conditions.

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