“The ability to process passengers’ COVID-19 relevant data for travel digitally will be the way forward,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, as the airline commenced trials of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass – 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.

“We are pleased to have been pioneers and partner with IATA in trialling this initiative in real time and soon will be launching other initiatives to further enhance our customer experience,” he continued.

The first passengers travelling from Dubai to Barcelona on EK 185 trialled the ‘digital passport’, to verify and share their pre-travel COVID-19 test status with Emirates in a trial which the airline believes is the next step towards making travel more convenient.

The app enables travellers to manage COVID-19 related documentation digitally, safely and seamlessly throughout the travel experience, and it is intended that travellers will also be able to share vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel moving forward.

The trial is being done on selected Emirates flights from Dubai to Barcelona and London Heathrow to Dubai; and will soon be expanded to include other routes. Eligible passengers are being personally invited to download the app and enrol for the digital travel pass ahead of their travels.

The IATA Travel Pass app will have an integrated registry of travel requirements to enable passengers to find accurate information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of their itinerary. 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.

Related

September 2023 marks the first phase of Mercury Towers opening its doors to the public

3 June 2023
by MaltaCEOs

Mercury Towers will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2024

Education and sustainable workforce can ensure tourism ‘continues to flourish’ – OZO CEO

2 June 2023
by Fabrizio Tabone

Fabio Muscat discusses how education is needed to provide the workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

Manfred Galdes appointed Partner at Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal

1 June 2023
by Fabrizio Tabone

He possesses over 20 years of experience in the legal profession, specialising in anti-money laundering regulation and financial crime compliance.

Young population lacks coping skills to ‘self-manage’ stressful situations, says HR professional Noel Debono

1 June 2023
by Fabrizio Tabone

He discusses this amid growing concerns about various lifestyle-related diseases and mental health issues young people face.

Close Bitnami banner
Bitnami