The International Air Transport Association and Etihad Airways partnered to launch the IATA Travel Pass for passengers on the Gulf carrier. The IATA Travel Pass is a mobile app that helps passengers manage travel in line with government requirements for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. It will be initially offered on select Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi in early 2021, with plans to extend the offer if successful.

With the IATA Travel Pass, Etihad guests can create a digital passport to receive COVID test results. It will also keep passengers in control of data and facilitate sharing their information with airlines and authorities, as well as manage travel documentation. Etihad actively works on digital health certifications for its travelers and campaigns for collaboration and a united regulatory response across the industry.

“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 Mohammad Al Bulooki, chief operating officer, Etihad Aviation Group.

IATA Travel Pass is four independent modules that interact with each other. They cover registries for regulatory entry requirements and labs/test centers; verified certificate insurance; digital identity; and the possibility for passengers to share test results via the mobile device. The modules can also be used separately and have been developed to be interoperable with other industry solutions.

Will you use the IATA Travel Pass? Do you hope more airlines will participate? When are you planning to take your next international trip? Tell us about it. Email us at [email protected]. Please include your full name and location.