VIDEO: Emirates becomes first airline to implement IATA Travel Pass across 6 continents

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Emirates Airlines has implemented the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Travel Pass application to its customers who can travel to all destinations, becoming the first airline in the world to provide this digital health certificate on six continents.

The airline gradually extended its IATA Travel Pass solution to its customers on 12 routes in June.

It recently signed a contract with IATA to adopt the solution on its global network. The IATA Travel Pass app is now available for Emirates customers travelling from 50 cities and is expected to cover more than 120 destinations by next October.

Emirates COO Adel Al Redha said, “Emirates continues to invest in technology and digital solutions, such as the IATA Travel Pass, to offer our customers uninterrupted flights and contactless experiences and allow airport teams to manage documentary checks efficiently and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Redha added, “We are delighted to be working with IATA in the implementation of the passport from initial testing to full implementation. We will continue to work together on any future improvements to provide safer and smoother travel for our customers."

Nicholas Crane, Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security, IATA, said, "UAE Accreditation of IATA Travel Pass through its Global Network.

It will strengthen the role of the application as a key tool in managing the large number of health certificates required for travel. “The management and processing of data automatically and securely will allow passengers, airlines, airports and government authorities to perform procedures quickly and easily and to avoid queues for document verification.”

IATA Travel Pass Key Features:

•    Repository of the latest travel requirements: it enables passengers to find accurate information on travel, testing, and vaccine requirements for their journey

•    Registry of testing centres: it enables passengers to access certified COVID-19 testing centres at their departure location which meet the requirements of their destination.

•    Digital documentation: the app allows passengers to manage their travel documentation digitally. From receiving test results and vaccination certificates directly from authorised labs and test centres, to conveniently and securely sharing these documents with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel.

Travellers can now access more than 1,500 Covid-19 test laboratories through the IATA Passport app and this number continues to grow.

EU and UK citizens can register a vaccine certificate on the app, and work is underway to link or upload a wide range of approved digital travel documents to the app.

Travellers can download the app, register themselves and create their digital identities using their passports.

Future improvements include the ability for customers to share their digital travel documents before they arrive at airports, such as vaccination certificates and the 'Covid19' test results, to appear securely and automatically in the Emirates Airlines check-in system, giving them a simple and smooth airport experience.