UAE’s carriers, Emirates and Etihad Airways have now collaborated with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to make air travel sound and safe for travellers. The airlines will trial the IATA travel pass, a mobile application that will help patrons manage their travel with relevant government requirements for Covid-19 testing or vaccine information. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Emirates Will Begin The Trial For IATA App From April
Speaking about the app and its use, Emirates has issued a statement, which states that the airline would implement phase 1 in Dubai for the validation of Covid-19 PCR tests before departure. The first phase might begin in April. The stage will let the emirate passengers update their covid-19 test status directly before reaching the airport through the IATA app.
Emirates becomes one of the first airlines in the world to trial @IATA Travel Pass, a global digital platform for COVID-19 updates and test verification. https://t.co/9XBs7RHNKz#FlySaferWithEmirates #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/uTSTESDmeG
— Emirates (@emirates) January 19, 2021
To ensure the safety of passengers amid the pandemic, this app being rolled out. On this, Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security said,
“This is the first step in making international travel during the pandemic as convenient as possible giving people the confidence that they are meeting all Covid-19 entry requirements by governments. As borders re-open, IATA Travel Pass will be further enhanced with more capabilities to meet all governments testing or vaccination verification requirements and Emirates customers will be among the first to have these services.”
IATA Pass Will Be A Digital Passport For Passengers
In terms of the pass, the IATA travel pass will let the passengers create a digital passport. This digital passport will let them verify their pre-travel test or vaccination needs keeping their outbound location in mind. The app will also allow the passengers to share their test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to aid travel.
Etihad Airways Will Offer The Pass To Select Guests From Abu Dhabi In First Quarter Of 2021
Besides this, the app will help passengers find detailed information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of where they are travelling. A registry of testing and vaccination centres will be available on the app, which will make it easy for the passengers to find everything in one app.
We've partnered with @IATA to launch the ATA Travel Pass, an app that will help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with government requirements for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. Find our more: https://t.co/TbWg0yZBVT pic.twitter.com/LhRKFqR6LL
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) January 19, 2021
Etihad and IATA said that they had reached an agreement to roll out the Travel Pass for passengers. Etihad Airways, the travel pass will be offered to the guests on select flights from Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of 2021. If successful, the pass will be extended to other destinations on the Etihad network.
Well, with all the specs and details in place, this app surely seems quite useful keeping the current situation in mind.