NEWS / AVIATION
EMIRATES & ETIHAD THE FIRST AIRLINES GLOBALLY TO LAUNCH IATA TRAVEL PASS COVID-19 TESTS AND VACCINATIONS WILL BE KEY TO GET THE WORLD FLYING AGAIN
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he International Air Transport Association has entered partnership with Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines to become the first airlines in the world to trial 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. IATA Travel Pass will initially be offered to Etihad Airways 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 Etihad network, while IATA Travel Pass enables Emirates passengers to create a ‘digital 34
FEBRUARY 2021 TOURISM INDIA
passport’ to verify 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 also enable travellers to manage all travel documentation digitally and seamlessly throughout the travel experience. “COVID-19 tests and vaccinations will be key to get the world flying again. Since 1 August 2020, Etihad is the only airline requiring a pre-departure negative PCR test result for all passengers worldwide, and again on arrival in Abu Dhabi, giving our guests the added assurance of safety when
they travel with us. A high priority for Etihad is for our guests to have an easy, secure and efficient way to identify and verify their information. Being one of the first airlines globally working with IATA as a pioneer partner on the IATA Travel Pass is a big step forward for Etihad’s guests and for the industry,” said Mr. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Aviation Group. Mr. Adel Al Redha Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer of Emirates said: “While international travel remains as safe as ever, there are new protocols and travel requirements with the current global pandemic. We have worked with IATA on this inno-
