Emirates first to implement IATA Travel Pass across six continents

Following successful trials on select routes from Dubai in April 2021, the airline is ready to roll out the digital pass to all customers 

Emirates is the first airline to implement the International Air Transport Association’s IATA Travel Pass solution across six continents as it rolls out the digital health pass across all its destinations.

Following successful trials, Emirates gradually expanded the IATA Travel Pass pilot to customers on 12 routes in June 2021, and the airline has now signed a contract with IATA to implement the solution across its global network.

The pass is currently available to Emirates customers travelling from 50 airports but will be available at more than 120 Emirates destinations by the end of October 2021.

Key features of the IATA Travel Pass

• Repository of the latest travel requirements: it enables passengers to find accurate information on travel, testing, and vaccine requirements for their journey
• Registry of testing centres: it enables passengers to access certified Covid-19 testing centres at their departure location that meet the requirements of their destination
• Digital documentation: the app allows passengers to manage their travel documentation digitally. From receiving test results and vaccination certificates directly from authorised labs and test centres, to conveniently and securely sharing these documents with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel.

Emirates COO Adel Al Redha said: “Emirates continues to invest in technology and solutions, like IATA Travel Pass, so that we can deliver smooth journeys and contactless experiences for our customers while enabling our airport teams to handle document checks efficiently and in compliance with regulatory requirements. We’re pleased to partner with IATA on the IATA Travel Pass solution from early pilot trials to full implementation and we will continue to work closely with IATA on enhancements to facilitate even more secure and smoother journeys for travellers.”

IATA senior vice president of Operations, Safety and Security, Nick Careen added: “Emirates’ implementation of IATA Travel Pass across its global network cements its role as a key tool in managing the complex myriad of health credentials required for travel. By providing passengers with a one-stop-shop to demystify, manage and process these credentials through a secure automated process, they can arrive at the airport ready-to-fly using automated processes. This will avoid queuing and congestion for document checks to the benefit of travellers, airlines, airports and governments.”

Future enhancements include enabling customers to share their digital documents for travel –such as Covid vaccination certificates and test results – before they reach the airport, and these will be securely and automatically reflected in Emirates’ check-in systems to facilitate smoother transit through the airport.