Emirates Simplifies Pandemic Travel Requirements with IATA Travel Pass
Monday 19th of April 2021
On April 15, 2021, Emirates triumphed the initial trial of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass with the first passengers travelling from Dubai to Barcelona on EK 185. The ‘digital passport’ is a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for COVID-19 testing or vaccine information.
The IATA Travel Pass allows passengers to verify and share their pre-travel COVID-19 test status with Emirates. It is a further step in digitally managing COVID-19 related documentation on a safe and seamless app for an effortless travel experience. In the future, travellers will also be able to share vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel.
Currently, trials are being conducted on selected Emirates flights enroute Dubai to Barcelona and London Heathrow to Dubai but will soon be expanded to include other routes according to the airline. Eligible passengers are being personally invited to download the app and enrol for the digital travel pass ahead of their travels.
Commenting on the trials, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, Adel Al Redha said, “The ability to process passengers’ COVID-19 relevant data for travel digitally will be the way forward.” He goes on to express that the partnership with IATA in trialing the digital passport in real-time further enhances Emirates’ customer experience. They also plan on launching other initiatives soon.
Emirates partnered with Prime Health Care labs in Dubai who are authorised to securely send test results to passengers via the app. Those travelling from the UK, can get their test done at select Screen4 labs.
Passengers can find accurate information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of their itinerary on the IATA Travel Pass app via the integrated registry of global data on the app. Eventually it will also include a registry of labs – making it more convenient for passengers to find testing centres and labs at their departure location which meet the standards for testing and vaccination requirements of their destination. IATA will manage the global registry which will allow the secure flow of necessary information amongst all stakeholders and to provide a seamless passenger experience.
Emirates has been at the forefront of providing many industry-first conveniences to its passengers ensuring even more confidence and flexibility for customers to make their travel plans.