Currently being tested by around twenty companies worldwide, IATA Travel Pass takes another step forward in its deployment. The digital health certificate promoted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore as a valid form of presenting Covid test results. While the application has been tested by Singapore Airlines since 17 March on its Singapore-London route, the solution will be available for use on the following routes from 1 May 2021 for passengers travelling to the City-StateThe Travel Pass is available to all passengers, whether before departure, when checking in with their airline - provided the airline uses the Travel Pass - or at immigration checkpoints at Changi airport.
" The success of our joint efforts will make IATA's partnership with the Singapore government a model for others to follow." said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General. " As we seek to relaunching the Changi hub in complete safetyWe will continue to explore other solutions that can provide equally secure and verifiable ways of sharing health certificates." said Kevin Shum, Managing Director of CAAS. On 5 April, the Changi Airport group launched the Safe Travel Concierge (STC) app, which enables passengers to book their PCR test on arrival and check that they have met all the pre-travel requirements for a safe and smooth entry into Singapore. It should also be noted that last December, the Singapore government also recognised another solution as valid, AOK Passwhich was tested on flights from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Among the airlines exploring these digital solutions to make travel safer and smoother, Japan Airlines (JAL) will be trialling three applications in parallel: the IATA Travel Pass, CommonPass and VeriFLY. CommonPass trials began on 2 April on JAL's Tokyo Haneda - Honolulu route and on 5 April on Tokyo Narita - Singapore. In April, the airline will also be testing the Verifly application on its flights to North America. Finally, in May, JAL will be trialling the IATA Travel Pass on certain international flights.
