“IATA Travel Pass Records First Milestone” – De Juniac. By Daisy BARRO

 

The much talked about International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass has overcome its first test, as Singapore Airlines became the first airline to implement the Pass when it recently transported its first passengers to London’s Heathrow Airport – passengers who made use of the Pass to manage their health credentials throughout the trip.

As expected, IATA is pleased with this milestone. Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO expressed this pleasure by saying, “The successful implementation of IATA Travel Pass in this trial with Singapore Airlines passengers demonstrates that technology can securely, conveniently and efficiently help travelers and governments to manage travel health credentials. The significance of this to re-starting international aviation cannot be overstated.”

The IATA boss went on to call the step a “big win for many parties”, as he further emphasized the importance of having a single system which harmonizes all passenger health data across all international borders.

To Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Airport, Passenger, Cargo, Security, this is “real life proof” that there exists a workable digital solution that will reduce pressure on ground operators at airports. In her own words, “Airlines understand that their ground operations will grind to a halt if they have to manage COVID-19 travel requirements—test results or vaccine certifications—with paper documentation. The same is true for border authorities,” she said.

It is IATA’s wish that governments encourage the use of the IATA Travel Pass and also create and provide digital COVID-19 test/vaccination certificates when people are tested or vaccinated so they have a verifiable document on their mobile device.

If all these are in place, passengers can expect hassle-free travel, and the aviation industry can fully go back to doing what it does best – seamlessly connecting people around the world.