Vaccine passports could open up the future for tourism

Many airlines have begun testing mobile apps to confirm that passengers have received vaccines and found negative results for Covid-19 prior to their flight.

From mid-March, Singapore Airlines will require passengers flying Singapore - London (UK) to use the Travel Pass mobile application developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The application stores passenger health information, including Covid-19 test results and vaccination status.

Test conducted from March 15 - 28. All smartphone passengers are encouraged to download the Travel Pass and create a digital profile using real photos, passports and flight information. They can then schedule a Covid-19 test at one of the seven hospitals in Singapore, and receive the results via the app.

The national airline of Singapore announced: "Passengers must present in-app test results to airport staff when checking-in at Changi Airport prior to flight. Guests must comply with general regulations. about quarantine, and bring a copy of the health certificate issued by the hospital for them ".

A new form of aerospace application

Based on the test results with flights from London, Singapore Airlines plans to bring the Travel Pass to the iPhone and Android application systems by mid-2021. The airline thinks this will facilitate quick check-in procedures and more smoothly. The company can also track test results and the health of customers right on the app.

Singapore Airlines noted that "health confirmation" data will be stored locally on the phone without an intermediary data warehouse, giving the airline "full control" over personal information.

Malaysia Airlines is also planning to integrate the Travel Pass app into its mobile app in the form of a digital health pass (Digital Travel Health Pass). As a result, visitors can self-confirm their ability to travel abroad based on their entry requirements and set their own "travel permit" status.

Australia and New Zealand are testing vaccine passports

From April, Air New Zealand will ask passengers from Auckland to Sydney (Australia) to try the Travel Pass as a "vaccine passport" to verify if they have been vaccinated or have a negative result for Covid-19.

Jennifer Sepull, its digital director, said: "When the border reopens, the tourism industry will look different, passenger health data will be verified at the check-in counter. A digital health certificate that is easily and securely shared at the airport is essential Storing all your digital health information in one place not only speeds up the check-in process, but unlocks the potential for contactless travel ".

British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad and ANA have also signed up to pilot the Travel Pass app on some of their flights and routes.

Qantas will evaluate both Travel Pass and CommonPass apps based on the feedback from passengers and crew on return international flights. This week, CommonPass was tested on a Boeing 787 flight from Frankfurt (Germany) to Darwin (Australia).

The app connects passengers with licensed laboratories, so results are updated on a common platform, allowing passengers to have proof of Covid-19 negative prior to boarding. This is required for all return flights operated by Qantas on behalf of the Australian government.

"We look forward to bringing back international flights, our employees going back to work and the digitalized passport will partially solve this problem. There will be many countries requesting Covid- test results. 19 and vaccination certification for quarantine-free travel, like previous polio and yellow fever vaccinations, "said Stephanie Tully, customer manager at Qantas.