IATA Calls For Immunity Passports in Aviation

Sunday 24th of May 2020

IATA Calls For Immunity Passports in Aviation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association of the world's airlines, said that the industry needs to take a layered approach to biosecurity and that it would support the development of immunity passports to segregate no-risk travellers.

IATA believes that immunity passports could play an important role in further facilitating the restart of air travel. If a passenger could be documented as having recovered from COVID-19 and thus as being immune, they would not need protective measures such as face cover, temperature checks, etc., during the travel process.

However, the medical evidence regarding immunity from COVID-19 is still inconclusive, so immunity passports are not currently supported. ‘At such time as the medical evidence supports the possibility of an immunity passport, we believe it is essential that a recognized global standard be introduced, and that corresponding documents be made available electronically.’