Emirates starts IATA mobile app trial

Emirates, the international airline, has launched the trial of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass mobile app on April 15.

The app helps passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for Covid-19 testing or vaccine information, says a press release by the company.

The first passengers travelling from Dubai to Barcelona on EK 185 today trialled the 'digital passport' to verify and share their pre-travel Covid-19 test status with Emirates.

The trials are a step towards making travel more convenient, enabling travellers to manage Covid-19 related documentation digitally, safely and seamlessly throughout the travel experience. In the future, travellers will also be able to share vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel.

The trial is being done on selected Emirates flights from Dubai to Barcelona and London Heathrow to Dubai; and will soon be expanded to include other routes. Eligible passengers are being personally invited to download the app and enroll for the digital travel pass ahead of their travels. 

The IATA Travel Pass app will have an integrated registry of travel requirements to enable passengers to find accurate information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of their itinerary. Eventually it will also include a registry of labs – 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.

The global registry, managed by IATA, will manage and allow the secure flow of necessary information amongst all stakeholders and to provide a seamless passenger experience.