UAE airlines' travel pass to have Covid test info for faster check-in

UAE airlines Emirates and Etihad have partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to be among the first airlines in the world to trial the IATA Travel Pass.

Emirates said it will implement phase 1 in Dubai for the validation of Covid-19 PCR tests before departure. In the initial phase, expected to begin in April, Emirates customers travelling from Dubai will be able to share their Covid-19 test status directly with the airline through the app, which will then auto-populate the details on the check-in system.

The pass will initially be offered to Etihad’s guests on selected flights from Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of 2021. If successful, the pass will be extended to other destinations on the airline’s network. The pass will enable Etihad’s passengers to create a ‘digital passport’ to receive Covid test results and verify they are eligible to undertake their journey.

So, what exactly is an IATA Travel Pass?

It is 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.

It will also include a registry of testing and eventually vaccination centres – 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.