The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is in the final development phase of a “digital health pass” that, it says, will support the safe reopening of borders by managing and verify the secure flow of necessary testing or vaccine information among governments, airlines, laboratories and travelers.
IATA is calling for systematic Covid-19 testing of all international travelers.
“Testing is the first key to enable international travel without quarantine measures,” stated Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s outgoing Director General and CEO. “The second key is the global information infrastructure needed to securely manage, share and verify test data matched with traveler identities in compliance with border control requirements.”.
IATA Travel Pass incorporates four open sourced and interoperable modules which can be combined for an end-to-end solution:
- Global registry of health requirements – enables passengers to find accurate information on travel, testing and eventually vaccine requirements for their journey.
- Global registry of testing / vaccination centers – enables passengers to find testing centers and labs at their departure location which meet the standards for testing and vaccination requirements of their destination.
- Lab App – enables authorized labs and test centers to securely share test and vaccination certificates with passengers.
- Contactless Travel App - enables passengers to (1) create a ‘digital passport’, (2) receive test and vaccination certificates and verify that they are sufficient for their itinerary, and (3) share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel. This app can also be used by travelers to manage travel documentation digitally and seamlessly throughout their journey, improving travel experience.
IATA and International Airlines Group (IAG), parent of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia airlines, will undertake a trial to demonstrate that this platform combined with testing can reopen international travel and replace quarantine. The first cross-border IATA Travel Pass pilot is scheduled for later this year and the launch slated for Q1 2021.
“Our main priority is to get people traveling again safely. In the immediate term that means giving governments confidence that systematic Covid-19 testing can work as a replacement for quarantine requirements. And that will eventually develop into a vaccine program,” said Nick Careen, IATA's Senior Vice President, Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security.
