Last update: March 18th.
A passenger arriving at the Heathrow Airport, in London, from Singapore is the first international traveller to ever use the IATA Travel Pass on an overseas flight.
The information has been confirmed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on March 17th, which coincides with the official Green Certificate announcement made by the EU, although both events are not directly related.
The success of the IATA Travel Pass’ trial could mean another boost for the travel industry, which is much needed due to the effects of the pandemic outbreak.
What IATA Travel Pass has to offer
This new travel pass is far from being an afterthought. IATA has been working on its development since the last quarter of 2020 and has invested several resources to enable its rollout.
“The successful implementation of IATA Travel Pass demonstrates that technology can securely, conveniently and efficiently help travellers and governments to manage travel health credentials,” said IATA’s Director-General, Alexandre de Juniac.
IATA pass to restore travel: how does it look like?
The document is basically a mobile application that helps international passenger store and manage their COVID-related health information. This includes negative PCR test results, immunity certificates and/or proof of vaccination.
De Juniac has said “there will be paper-based alternatives for people who do not have mobile phones,” although the digital version is deemed more secure and easy to use.
Open and interoperable modules
As stated by the IATA, this health passport has “four open and interoperable modules” that create an end-to-end solution.
First, it enables travellers to both “find accurate information on travel, testing and eventually vaccine requirements for their journey,” and find approved COVID-19 testing centres and labs at their location of origin.
Second, proper COVID-19 labs can “securely share test and vaccination certificates with passengers” via Lab App.
Third, through IATA’s contactless travel app, international travellers are also allowed to create and share their digital passports and other health-related data with airlines and relevant travel authorities.
Over 290 airlines across the globe are represented by the International Air Transport Association.
IATA’s take on COVID-19 vaccination certificates
Over the past months, IATA has urged local authorities, aviation entities and health organizations to further promote the creation of COVID pass certificates.
According to the International Air Transport Association, global corporations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) “need to accelerate the development of digital health certificates for COVID-19 vaccines and testing.”
Moreover, IATA firmly believes border authorities should make digital health passport common practice when it comes to international travel. These travel documents must be accepted “on a passenger’s mobile device and not just on paper.”