IATA’s travel pass was tested successfully by Singapore Airlines as JetBlue starts using CommonPass app, and Hong Kong airport successfully trialed its health passport.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport of the first traveller using the IATA Travel Pass app to manage their travel health credentials.
“The successful implementation of IATA Travel Pass in this trial with Singapore Airlines passengers demonstrates that technology can securely, conveniently and efficiently help travellers and governments to manage travel health credentials. The significance of this to re-starting international aviation cannot be overstated,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
JoAnn Tan, Acting Senior Vice President, Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines, said: “Digital health credentials will be essential as borders reopen and travel restrictions get progressively lifted worldwide. The successful implementation of the IATA Travel Pass reflects Singapore Airlines’ goal of using secure digital solutions to verify health credentials and support a safe and seamless travel experience for our customers.”
JetBlue begins using CommonPass
Meanwhile, US low-cost airline JetBlue has begun using the CommonPass platform on flights to Aruba. As a part of JetBlue’s programme, the airline has partnered with two Covid-19 testing suppliers: Vault, which provides supervised at-home testing, and XpresCheck, which provides in-person, at-airport testing.
JetBlue travellers from Boston to Aruba can get tested, download the CommonPass app and upload their results into the app, which gives them access to expedited immigration lanes upon arrival in Aruba. The country currently requires all arriving travellers to test negative for Covid-19 either within 72 hours of arrival or upon arrival.
Hong Kong airport successfully trials health pass app
Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Airport Authority (AA) has said that it has successfully trialled a coronavirus test digital health pass. The digital health pass was tested in a trial run between Hong Kong International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. Covid-19 test results for roleplaying passengers were sent to a mobile application in the form of the pass. The pass was then used for checking in.
Vivian Cheng, Executive Director of airport operations at the AA, said: “As Covid-19 tests and vaccinations are poised to become new essentials for air travellers in the future, a digital solution is required to effectively integrate this new requirement into the existing digitalised travel process, from laboratory to check-in and to landing.”