Next week (March 15-28), Singapore Airlines will be the first to pilot the mobile app, Iata Travel Pass, on its Singapore-London route.

This was highlighted during a press briefing yesterday by Iata CEO and Director-General, Alexandre de Juniac. He said the pilot scheme would pave the way for the integration of the entire digital health verification process into the Singapore Airlines mobile app from around mid-2021.

He pointed out that in the immediate term, the Iata Travel Pass offered the solution for airline passengers to “safely and securely manage their travel health credentials”.  In the longer term, the digital identity elements of the Travel Pass will place Singapore Airlines passengers at the front of the queue for an even more convenient contactless travel experience.

Several airlines – including RwandAir, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Qantas – have indicated their willingness to partner with Iata on the Travel Pass mobile app to help passengers securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for COVID-19 testing or vaccine information.

The pass enables passengers to create a ‘digital passport’ to verify that their pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination. They will also be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel.

The new app will further enable travellers to manage all travel documentation digitally and seamlessly throughout the travel experience.

“The discussions with key government and United Nations institutions have one simple message – that the Travel Pass is a key support system for the safe reopening of borders,” said De Juniac.